Bach: St Matthew Passion in Lichfield Cathedral
Saturday 9 March at 19:00
Where better to hear this extraordinary work than in this Cathedral performed by Paul Spicer conducting the renowned Birmingham Bach Choir and Lichfield Cathedral choristers together with choristers from Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum? They’ll be joined by the superb period instrument orchestra, The Musical and Amicable Society, and a cast of top international soloists.
Not only is Bach one of the greatest composers of all time, but the St Matthew Passion, written and performed in 1727, can lay claim to be his most outstanding work; Felix Mendelssohn calling it “the greatest of all Christian works”.
This oratorio tells the story of the passion of Christ’s last days on earth (as written in the Lutheran version of St Matthew’s Gospel). It is a work of passion. Narrated by the Evangelist (performed by Thomas Hobbs) the drama is created by the interaction of the double choir, choristers, soloists and double orchestra. The story unfolds through the drama of Jesus’s betrayal by Judas, the Last Supper, Jesus’s arrest and interrogation by the high priests, his crucifixion, and the final sealing of his tomb.
" To my mind it is the greatest work created by the human mind – no more, no less.
To be able to perform it in the stunning surroundings of Lichfield Cathedral with a superb choir, world class soloists and orchestra is one of the greatest privileges imaginable. Come and share this experience with us.’” Paul Spicer
If you have never heard a live performance of this work, now is the time. If you have heard one in the past you’ll need no persuading to hear it again!