Good Friday

Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, first movement, sung by soprano Katia Ricciarelli and stunning contralto Lucia Valentini.

This is truly music for Good Friday.
And any other day of the year.

Pergolesi was ill with tuberculosis and died already at the age of 26. How is it even possible to compose such profound music at such young age?

Please take a few minutes to listen. This is among the most beautiful pieces of music ever written.

Rosina's aria

From The Barber of Seville by Rossini.
Once again, Swedish mezzo soprano Malena Ernman.
This is brilliance. So playful, funny and truly excellent.

Read more about the opera here.