CONCERT: PERGOLESI'S STABAT MATER: SECOND AND FINAL PERFORMANCE

An aerial angel suspended in Winthrop Hall interpreting baroque music and an atmospheric staging of ‘Stabat Mater’ will provide a fitting musical debut on the eve of Easter for The University of Western Australia’s new music professor.

Professor Jane Davidson, who recently took up the inaugural Callaway/Tunley Chair of Music at The University of Western Australia, will direct an atmospheric staging of Pergolesi’s 18th century musical setting of the ancient Latin text, Stabat Mater. This poignant musical reflection of Mary at the Cross has become widely known for its use in the soundtracks to the films ‘Amadeus’ and ‘Jesus of Montreal’.

Professor Davison, who will move between UWA and the University of Sheffield where she is Professor of Music Performance Studies, has produced the work in both Portugal and the United Kingdom to critical acclaim.

Several singers and actors from the European production will join forces with a cast drawn from the UWA School of Music and the Perth artistic community joining Baroque violinist Paul Wright who will lead the instrumental ensemble, bringing a wealth of experience to the music’s refined beauty and emotional power.

Two gems from the earlier baroque period, namely Monteverdi’s ‘Cantate Domino’ and Schutz’s ‘Es steh Gott auf’ will frame the presentation of Stabat Mater in Winthrop Hall on Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13, 2006. These additional musical offerings will be interpreted by the grace and skill of Fremantle-based aerial artist Theaker von Ziarno.

Tickets are available through BOCS on 9484 1133 or at UWA’s Octagon Theatre.



MEDIA REFERENCE: Professor Jane Davidson61 8 6488 7176 Robert Hofmann61 8 6488 2054 Colin Campbell-Fraser61 8 6488 2889 0419 947 718