Anonymous (Sicily)

About the composer

This Stabat Mater is still sung in Sicily during the Passion week. It is sung by one of the lay brotherhoods still in existence in villages of Sicily, like they can be found in Sardinia and Corsica. It was in the 13th century that the Franciscans founded the laudesi brotherhoods. As they were not allowed to play a role in liturgy, the laudesi sang in processions, certain Holy Week ceremonies and played a role in passion plays or religious mysteries celebrated on the church square. However, the style of singing in Sicily and Corsica is much more “civilized” as compared to the Sardinian Stabat Maters. Moreover, in villages throughout the southern part of Italy polyphonic Stabat Maters are still being sung during processions, for instance in the area of Naples.