Stillae (Drops)

“Stillae” was composed for the “Jugendkonzertchor der Chorakademie Dortmund” who won first prize in the “Mårten Jansson Choral Competition” in 2018. The American poet Charles Anthony Silvestri wrote the lyrics.

The poem is divided in four short clear Latin verses resembling the form of medieval poetry. The first three verses offer short glimpses of Mary’s life with Jesus described through different kinds of drops – Stillae: Drops of water – when she bathes her tiny son Drops of tears – when she cries while pondering his fate, and finally Drops of blood – that fall on her face from the cross

The music and lyrics paint this transition from happiness to worry and deepest grief, concluding in a final verse; a still prayer to Mary to take our drops, our prayers, and offer them to Jesus.