[YogicCowboy]

Here is my best candidate (until I can speak to my friend):

Theodore Dubois, “The Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ” [Latin, 1867; English, 1899].

The opening solo is for soprano, and appears to match your description.

If you go to either of the below sites, then you should find a detailed delineation of the piece:

http://wheatwilliams.com/2012/03/studying-the-libretto-to-theodore-dubois-the-seven-last-words-of-christ/

http://www.fbcmalden.org/about-us/special-events/seven-last-words-christ-theodore-dubois-1867/

[mairdie]

THAT’S IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Infinite thanks! Now I can try to look up a recording. Fantastic!