Pergolesi's Stabat Mater

Pergolesi's Stabat Mater is a mournful and expressive musical piece from the early 18th century, composed as a sorrowful meditation on the suffering of Mary mourning her son Jesus during the crucifixion. Set to Latin text, it features a duet between a soprano (or sometimes alto) singer and a bass, conveying deep emotion through melodic beauty and expressive phrasing. The work is renowned for its simplicity, emotional intensity, and the contrast between tender moments and powerful passages, making it a poignant reflection on grief and compassion, and a significant example of Baroque sacred music.