Planctus Mariae
The Wolfenbüttel Lamentation of Mary
occupies a special place among the Marian Lamentations, those German-language sacred plays of the late Middle Ages that give scenic-musical form to Mary's lamentation at the death of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday:
In it, above all, the position of Mary as the "Mother of Mercy" is developed, as well as the role of John (Johannesminne); in addition, the figures of Peter, Nicodemus and Joseph appear as special features.
For our performance, the manuscript of the Marienklage, which is now in the Herzog August Library in Wolfenbüttel, was newly transcribed. The original place of performance was probably Braunschweig.
The scenic revival of the lament is the result of the ensemble's intensive study of the medieval play traditions of Europe.
The premiere took place in 1999 in the crypt of Speyer Cathedral with the legendary Andrea von Ramm in the leading role of Mother Mary.
In further performances Anne Azéma, Maria Jonas and Sabine Lutzenberger took over this role.
A performance variant interpolates excerpts from Penderecki's "Stabat mater."
Program:
Wolfenbüttel Planctus Mariae
Excerpts from Krzysztof Penderecki's"Stabat mater" (1962)
8 singers/performers, fiddle, harp, flute
Larger church room, space requirement minimum 6 x 6m
Performances
- St. Ägidien, Brunswick (2015)
- Main church Beatae Mariae Virginis, Wolfenbüttel (2012)
- Trigonale Klagenfurt, Tanzenberg (2011)
- Via Mediaeval, Otterberg (2010)
- Maulbronn Monastery Concerts (2002)
- Hohenlohe Summer of Culture(2001)
- Speyer Cathedral Music Days (1999)
"Scenic design and gestures show an equally intensvie training and experience as the empathy with the liturgical process. The quality of the performance was beyond criticism ... Always convincing was the vocal purity, the meticulous precision of the sequences ... above all the creative power."
The Rheinpfalz, 05.10.2010