Rossini: Stabat mater; Pergolesi: Stabat mater – review

(EMI Classics); (Harmonia Mundi)Rossini's setting of the medieval hymn depicting Mary's mourning at the foot of the Cross has been dismissed as superficial and flippant, but Pappano's tremendous new recording brings out every ounce of its darkness and force. With a superb quartet of soloists, and the deeply coloured playing and singing of his Italian forces, the piece emerges newly minted as a dramatic masterpiece of harmonic twists and turns, spine-tingling solos and heaven-storming choruses: a...

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