Easter at Sage Gateshead was marked by The English Concert under Bernard Labadie performing two contrasting settings of Stabat Mater – a dramatic meditation on the Virgin Mary’s suffering at the foot of the Christ's cross.

Vivaldi’s setting, featuring word painting in best traditions of Baroque music, was fronted by mezzo-soprano Sonia Prina, whose dark-hued contralto voice gave an added depth to the anguish, turmoil and grief of the work.

Her Quis est homois had a delicate refinement and elegance.

Vivaldi’s setting is relentlessly solemn, but for the jagged writing in the movement depicting the brutal scourging of Christ.

The strings conveyed each lash with biting bowing, while the flowing Fac ut ardeat cor meum was judged to perfection and led to a rousing Amen.

Pergolesi was born and died at the age of 26 during life of Vivaldi and his music departed from the florid writing of his time, with leaner textures that allowed the melodies to shine.

Prina was joined by soprano Roberta Invernizzi in Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, with their voices magnificently matched in the flowing opening movement and ensuing duets.

Invernizzi gave glorious accounts of the Cujus animam gementem and Vidit suum dulcem Natum while Prina gave a powerful rendition of Fac ut portem Christi mortem.

The concert opened with Vivaldi’s Sinfonia Al Santo Sepolcro, a musical gem which along with his Stabat Mater had been lost to world for 200 years.

Ivnernizzi’s lithe voice was given full rein in Pergolesi’s Salve Regina.

Sage Gateshead's Easter offerings continue with Royal Northern Sinfonia and Chorus, conducted by Thomas Zehetmair, performing Bach’s St Matthew Passion at 7pm on Saturday (April 19). Box office 0191-443 4661.