8 The 17th century’s greatest hits

Between his days as a diplomat, a priest and a singer, Agostino Steffani composed some of the most captivating music of the 17th century. To reintroduce his work to a modern audience, Tafelmusik is taking a “greatest hits” approach: mezzosoprano Krisztina Szabó is singing arias from several of his once-popular operas, and the ever-reliable chamber choir will perform “Stabat Mater,” the piece that Steffani hailed as his best, which describes Mary’s grief at her Son’s crucifixion.