Four local musicians are teaming up to give two very special performances of Pergolesi's Stabat Mater in the area during Holy Week.

Alto Nicola Moore and cellist Catriona Bevan – who both sing in Lyme Regis-based choir Lyme Bay Chorale – will be joined by soprano Jeni Melia and organist Peter Irving for the concerts.

Pergolesi composed the 12-movement Stabat Mater in a Pozzuoli monastery in 1736 while suffering from tuberculosis; he died just after finishing it, at the age of 26.

The work is a setting of a 13th century hymn that describes the suffering of Jesus' mother, Mary, as she stands at the foot of the cross. The first line, "Stabat Mater dolorosa", translates as "The sorrowful mother was standing". 

These two special concerts will be held at St John the Baptist Church in Hawkchurch, on Wednesday, April 5 at 7pm, and at St Michael's Parish Church on Good Friday, April 7 at 2pm.

Admission is free with a retiring collection to be divided between the church and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The concerts follow an extremely successful fundraising performance of cello and piano favourites by Catriona Bevan and Vyvian Bronk in February, which drew a capacity crowd to Lyme Regis parish church.