On Thursday, June 5th in Leisureland, the Galway Baroque Singers performed the Irish Premiere of Karl Jenkins' Stabat Mater.

Joining the choir in the performance were the RTE Concert Orchestra, conducted by Proinnsias Ó Duinn, and soloists Jurgita Adamonyte and Kathy Nugent.

The Stabat Mater, a 13th-century Latin poem depicting the suffering of the Virgin Mary during Christ's crucifixion, has inspired many composers down through the years, from Haydn to Verdi. Karl Jenkins' setting extends it to a universal depiction of grief by using ancient Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic texts, as well as a contemporary poem sung in English.

The work received its World Premiere in Liverpool Cathederal in March of this year, as part of Liverpool's celebrations as European City of Culture 2008, for which it was specially commissioned. EMI released a recording of the work in March  which has been a hit in classical charts all over the world.

Ms. Adamonyte, who took part in the Leisureland performance, also performed in Liverpool, and appears on the CD recording.

The choir were delighted to be given the honour of performing the premiere, and the fact that it took place in Galway made it all the more special, and was a perfect start to the choir's 25th Anniversary celebrations.