Church opens doors for Good Friday

Large numbers of Balmain residents are set to spend Good Friday at the historical St Augustine’s Catholic Church, filled with the enchanting strains of the Stabat Mater.

Loosely translated as the Sorrows of Mary, the performance by resident ensemble group the Sydney Consort Ensemble aims to take listeners on a journey through the Good Friday experience of Mary, while she witnesses her son Jesus’ crucifixion.

“It’s about the death of Christ but also it’s a very feminine text,” said Anna Fraser, who will sing soprano on the night. “It’s a famous text that is often read and has been set many times to music.

“It’s also about the Mother Mary and the depth of her grief and the realization about him moving on to another sphere.”

While the theme of death and suffering is sad, Ms Fraser said the music on Friday is far from it.

“This one has a lot of positivity about it and it has a classical ‘Mozarty’ vibe. It’s very beautiful and I am really looking forward to doing this work which I haven’t done before,” she said.

Monika Kornel, Director of the Sydney Consort Ensemble, has ensured preparation for the event has been meticulous.

“This is sort of our baby, we decided the programme and the pieces we would like to play [at the concert],” she said.

Ms Kornel said that apart from Stabat Mater, the ensemble was also preparing to perform the relatively unknown 18th century composition, Concerto for Viola d’amore.

This piece is important because it exhibits the Viola d’amore, one of the instruments used in the concert which has a relatively small repertoire.

“The Sydney Consort Ensemble prides itself researching, preparing and performing  unknown or recently found 18th century compositions, so it does not only play popular pieces,” said Ms Kornel. “This is one of the most exciting things for the ensemble.

“That’s actually our job, our work, after when you finish musical studies that’s what you do, you play with others.”

The Sydney Consort Ensemble puts on at least four to five concerts a year in Balmain, interstate and overseas.

Friday night’s event starts at 8pm.