Tuesday saw the opening of a four-concert series designed to take audiences on a musical and spiritual journey through Lent. The Oxford Lent Concerts series is now in its fourth year and offers a refreshing alternative to the commercialism that dominates the lead-up to Easter; here, in the beautiful setting of Queen’s College Chapel, is a salutary reminder of what Easter is all about.

This year’s theme is Stabat Mater, with settings of this and other sacred texts by a range of familiar and not-so-familiar composers. The first concert featured settings of the Stabat Mater by two Italian composers, Alessandro Scarlatti and Felic Anerio, and it was interesting to compare the styles. The former, using only two voices and a five-piece accompaniment, was sorrowful and contemplative; the latter, with 12 unaccompanied voices, was altogether more robust and dramatic, but no less anguished. Sandwiched in between was the first of Biber’s Rosary sonatas, The Annunciation.

As in previous years, singers and instrumentalists are either local musicians or university undergraduates, and the quality is outstanding. In the Scarlatti, Roya Ziai’s pure, clear soprano voice seemed to capture the essence of this lovely piece, with alto Jenni Matthews providing a pleasingly contrasting sound. Anerio’s more energetic piece was tackled by the chamber-sized choir with confidence and reverence. The instrumentalists provided solid support, under the meticulous direction of Owen Rees, with violinist Heather Birt particularly impressive in the Biber.

Another feature of this concert series is the provision of relevant icons from local artists. The three remaining concerts of the series are on March 24 and 31 and April 7. The programme varies slightly each time; full details can be found on the official website, http://op59.net/lent2009.html. Concerts are from 6.15pm to 7pm and are free, with a retiring collection for Sobell House, Oxford, and Médecins sans Frontières.