(Above: A portrait of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, whose Stabat Mater Dolorosa was his last major composition before his death in 1736 at age 26.)

Message (and invitation) from Eugene singer Laura Wayte:

Hello! I am emerging out from under the last year and doing some singing.

Please join me for a beautiful concert of the Stabat Mater by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.

Have you emerged yet from this pandemic and lockdown and general upheaval? It turns out it is difficult to step back into the world — I know this for myself and for my kids who are trying to jump into adulthood. For them, they need to remember how to interact with people and adults and get back out to their barely-begun lives. It is slow and uncomfortable, but we’ll get there.

For me, emerging has meant bringing my voice back despite the anxiety and depression of the shutdown. It was slow and uncomfortable for a few weeks, but then my voice just burst out and wants to sing. I am grateful to Richard Guy for giving me a reason to push myself into some very healing music.

Maybe you’ll use this as an excuse to dip your toe back into life.

The Emerald Chamber Orchestra is presenting another in its ongoing series of Cantatas: The Stabat Mater by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. This remarkable work was composed in the last year of Pergolesi’s life, when he was only 26 years old.

We will perform it in its original scoring for string quartet and harpsichord. I am joined vocally by Erika Rauer, executive director the Eugene Opera Company and a fabulous singer herself. She is a soprano but is singing the alto part here and it suits her beautifully.

Join us in the auditorium of the Christian Science Church located at the corner of 14th and Pearl streets in downtown Eugene. The concert will take place at 2 pm on Sunday, October 24.

This is a free concert, but with a suggested donation of $10 to help cover the costs of paying the musicians.

Harpsichordist Richard Guy will be playing a brand new, two-manual Flemish harpsichord at this performance. The instrument is on loan from the Eugene Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The string ensemble will be led by violinist Wyatt True of the Delgani group.

What about COVID? Covid protocols will be in effect for this concert. The Emerald Chamber Orchestra requests that attendees show their vaccination cards and wear masks during the performance.

Concert of Pergolesi’s The Stabat Mater

When: 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24

Where: First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1390 Pearl St., Eugene

Program: Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s The Stabat Mater, a 13th-century Christian hymn to Mary, which portrays her suffering as Jesus Christ’s mother during his crucifixion; performed by vocalists Laura Wayte and Erika Rauer and the Emerald Chamber Orchestra

Admission: Free, but $10 donations are appreciated to help pay the musicians