A group of talented island musicians will perform Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” and other sacred music at 7 p.m. Saturday at St. John Vianney Church.

The piece is based on a 13th century poem about the suffering of Mary during Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and was written by Jacopo da Todi. Pergolesi composed “Stabat Mater” in 1736 at the age of 26. According to soloist Jennifer Krikawa, the combination of poem and composition is touching and hauntingly beautiful.

“The emotion of the words is written into the music,” Krikawa said. “In the Baroque style, composers used dissonance, descriptive repetition, ornamentation and straight tone as tools to create sound descriptions of the story … and to create tension, longing and tranquility.”

Krikawa will be joined by vocal soloists Rebekah Kuzma, Holly Boaz and Julia Benzinger. Strings will be performed by Karin Choo, Dan Brandt and Danielle McCutcheon. Charles Lovekin will play the organ. Father Marc Powell, pastor of St. John Vianney, will read the stanzas between the 12 movements.

“Stabat Mater” will be preceded by several other sacred songs with organ. The organists include Lovekin, Kevin Pottinger and Michelle Casad. The sacred songs will include compositions by Domenico Scarlatti, Francesco Durante, Johann Sebastian Bach, Ottorino Respighi and Guilio Caccini.

“There is an enormous library of sacred works, and we don’t often get to hear these special small ensemble works. We want to present these works for everyone to enjoy their intrinsic beauty,” Krikawa said.

Tickets, at the door, are by a suggested donation of $15.