Luminescence Chamber
Singers
Directed by AJ America
Wesley Uniting Church,
Forrest
15 September 2019
Reviewed by Len Power
An opportunity to see and hear Pergolesi’s ‘Stabat Mater’
performed live is not to be missed. This
performance with the Luminescence Children’s Choir and soloists Chloe Lankshear
and Stephanie Dillon, accompanied by string quartet, deservedly attracted a
large audience at the Wesley Uniting Church in Forrest.
Composed in 1736 by Giovanni Pergolesi, the score is set to
a medieval text which describes the Virgin Mary witnessing the suffering of her
son, Jesus, on the cross. It’s one of
Pergolesi’s most celebrated works.
Even without its religious connotations, the extreme suffering
of a mother on the death of a child is an emotion we can all understand. Pergolesi’s beautiful music is heart-breaking
from start to finish.
The Luminescence Children’s Choir were impressive with their
clear and accurate singing. They sang
four out of the twelve parts of the score from memory, which was quite a feat
with a Latin text and demanding part singing.
It was also admirable to see them able to stand quietly and very still
for lengthy periods while the soloists were singing.
Chloe Lankshear, soprano, and Stephanie Dillon, mezzo soprano,
sang their parts with great technical skill and feeling. Their solos were beautifully sung with a
believable level of emotion. When they
performed the duets, the blending of their voices was sublime.
 |
| Chloe Lankshear |
The string quartet of Madeleine Retter and Helena Popovic,
violins, Katrina Vasala, viola, and Evelyn Andrew, cello, played the music
score very well. These are seasoned
performers on the Canberra music scene, often appearing with the Canberra
Sinfonia, National Capital Orchestra and others.
Artistic director of Luminescence and conductor of this
concert, AJ America, brought together all the elements of this emotive work skilfully. It was a memorable experience to see and hear
this work performed so well.
This review was first
published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 16 September 2019.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.
