Rossini’s Stabat Mater

I. Introduction/Chorus and Quartet

Stabat Mater dolorosa

The grieving Mother stood

juxta crucem lacrimosa,

beside the cross weeping

dum pendebat Filius.

where her Son was hanging.

II. Aria (Tenor)

Cuius animam gementem

Through her weeping soul,

contristatam et dolentem

compassionate and grieving,

Per transivit gladius.

a sword passed.

O quam tristis et afflicta

O how sad and afflicted

fuit illa benedicta

was that blessed

Mater Unigeniti!

Mother of the Only-begotten!

Quae maerebat et dolebat

Who mourned and grieved,

Et tremebat, dum videbat

and trembled, as she witnessed

nati poenas incliti!

the torment of her glorious Son.

III. Duet (Soprano I & Soprano II)

Quis est homo, qui non fleret,

Who is the man who would not weep

Christi Matrem si videret

if seeing the Mother of Christ

in tanto supplicio?

in such agony?

Quis non posset contristari,

Who would not be have compassion

piam Matrem contemplari

on beholding the devout mother

dolentum cum Filio?

suffering with her Son?

IV. Aria (Bass)

Pro peccatis suae gentis

For the sins of His people

vidit Jesum in tormentis

she saw Jesus in torment

et flagellis subditum!

and subjected to the scourge.

Vidit suum dulcem Natum

She saw her sweet Son

moriendo desolatum,

dying, forsaken,

dum emisit spiritum.

while He gave up His spirit.

V. Chorus & Recitative (Bass)

Eia, Mater, fons amoris,

O Mother, fountain of love,

me sentire vim doloris

make me feel the power of sorrow,

fac ut tecum lugeam.

that I may grieve with you.

Fac ut ardeat cor meum

Grant that my heart may burn

in amando Christum Deum

in the love of the Lord Christ

ut sibi complaceam.

that I may greatly please Him.

VI. Quartet

Sancta mater, istud agas,

Holy Mother, grant this of yours,

Crucifixi fige plagas

that the wounds of the Crucified be well-formed

cordi meo valide.

in my heart.

Tui Nati vulnerati

Grant that the punishment of your wounded Son,

tam dignati pro me pati

so worthily suffered for me,

poenas mecum divide.

may be shared with me.

Fac me vere tecum fiere

Let me sincerely weep with you,

Crucifixo condolere,

bemoan the Crucified,

donec ego vixero!

for as long as I live.

Juxta crucem tecum stare

To stand beside the cross with you,

Te libenter sociare

and for me to join you

in planctu desidero.

in mourning, this I desire.

Virgo virginum praeclara,

Chosen Virgin of virgins,

mihi jam non sis amara;

to me, now, be not bitter;

fac me tecum plangere.

let me mourn with you.

VII. Cavatina (Soprano II)

Fac ut portem Christi mortem,

Grant that I may bear the death of Christ,

passionis fac consortem

Let me share His torments with Him

et plagas recolere!

and the remembrance of His wounds.

Fac me plagis vulnerari,

Let me be wounded with distress,

cruce hac inebriari

and through this cross, let me be filled

Ob amorem Filii.

with love for your Son.

VIII. Aria (Soprano I and Chorus)

Inflammatus et accensus

Lest I be destroyed by fire, set alight,

per te, Virgo, sim defensus

then through you, Virgin, may I be defended

in die judicii.

on the day of judgment.

Fac me cruce custodiri,

Let me be guarded by the cross,

morte Christi praemuniri,

fortified by the death of Christ,

confoveri gratia!

and cherished by grace.

IX. Quartet

Quando corpus morietur,

When my body dies,

fac ut animae donetur

grant that to my soul is given

paradisi gloria.

the glory of paradise.

X. Chorus

In sempiterna saecula.

World without end.

Amen.

Amen.