Quigley, fine cast illuminate the secular and sacred Pergolesi for Opera Lafayette

“The common denominator across these two halves was the brilliant musical direction of guest conductor Quigley. In La serva padrona, his ability to execute fine detail and dynamic shading from the highly responsive Opera Lafayette Orchestra delivered an exciting sense of transparency in the orchestral score. 

From the opening movement of the Stabat Mater, Quigley communicated that this was theatrical music in its own right, heightening the contrast between a mournful dirge in the lower instruments and sharp descending figures in the violins. Quigley leaned into Pergolesi’s decadent suspended harmonies with abandon in moments like “O quam tristis et afflicta” and the funereal closing “Quando corpus morietur,” his sensitive use of rubato throughout giving breath and dimension to the music.”