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Dateline: 2nd April, 2009
Barber in Contemporary Oratorio Revival The spoken word and orchestral composition join forces in Shane Cullinan’s contemporary oratorio The Pietà at St James’s Piccadilly.
Award-winning actor Frances Barber plays the role of a woman devastated by the loss of her son to street crime. The Pietà portrays a mother’s raw emotions through her own words, and, although the piece is inspired by the moment when Christ’s body was placed in his mother’s arms, Cullinan relocates it to a modern-day Manchester of gun crime and street violence.
Barber is joined by another award-winner, soprano Claire O'Brien, and celebrated cor anglaisist Jessica Mogridge, with the three women collectively portraying the response of the mother. A twenty-five piece string orchestra will accompany the soloists.
For Cullinan, originally from Manchester, the opportunity to re-stage the project has been a joy. "We first presented The Pietà in 2007," he said, "and I have constantly been asked when there would be another opportunity to see and hear it, and now that the performances are upon us the excitement is really building. It’s been a pleasure working with Frances Barber again too. Her interpretation of the mother’s grief – honest, yet celebratory as well as tragic – brings the piece to life." The Pietà will be performed at St James’s Piccadilly on 28th and 29th May at 8pm. Tickets are £15 in advance, £20 on the door from the Box Office on 08700 600100 or from Ticketweb.
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