As part of the November Vespers in the church of St. Laurenzen in St. Gallen, my cantata Lachrimae for mezzo-soprano, violin and organ was performed for the second time. The premiere was in spring 2024. The title of the work is inspired by the famous piece Lachrimae (“Tears”) by John Dowland from the late 16th century – but in fact it is a kind of modern Stabat Mater Dolorosa– a contemporary lament that expresses different characters of tears. I wrote the piece especially for the new Surround organ at St. Laurenzen church.
The texts are based on poems by the St. Gallen poet Meie Lutz.
Melanie Veser, mezzo-soprano
Elisabeth Kohler, violin
Bernhard Ruchti, organ
Kathrin Bolt, Texts
