Good Friday: Bach's St John Passion
EX CATHEDRA Choir, Baroque Orchestra & Academy of Vocal Music
Jeffrey Skidmore conductor
James Robinson Evangelist
Themba Mvula Jesus
Lawrence White Pilate & bass
Margaret Lingas, Katie Trethewey soprano
Mercè Bruguera Abelló, Gabriella Liandu alto
Bradley Smith tenor
Thomas Lowen bass
300 years after its first performance, Bach’s St John Passion remains as powerful and profound as it must have been in 1724. The human drama of the story - Pilate’s dilemma, Peter’s denial - plus the emotion of the characters makes this a compelling pilgrimage, whatever your belief. And then there is the supreme beauty of Bach’s music, heightened by the colours and poignancy of the period instruments - not least the majestic acceptance of ‘Es ist vollbracht’ (It is accomplished).
In this anniversary performance, we incorporate chorale preludes, motets, congregational hymns and readings to offer a richer experience of the Good Friday service as Bach knew it. The programme will include:
Roth Verlass uns nicht
Bach St John Passion
Handl Ecce quomodo moritur justus
Sung in German with English surtitles.
Running time: approx. 3 hours, including a 30-minute interval.
How to book
General sale opens on Mon 5 June 2023, 10am.
If you are a member of our Host of Angels, you will have been emailed a priority booking code for the date booking opens for you.
£53.50 / 46.50 / £36.50 / £26.50 / £15 including per ticket commission
£15 - aged 18-30, not in full-time education
£5 - under 18s and students in full-time education
Book online or call the B:Music box office on 0121 780 3333
Ex Cathedra is an Associate Artist at Symphony Hall & Town Hall (B:Music venues)
Buy 2+ concerts & save up to £10.50 per ticket
There are considerable savings if you book 2 or more tickets at the same time from the B:Music box office. Buying 5+ tickets at the same time also provides exemption from the box office’s £3.50 per ticket commission.
B:Music operate a Ticket Exchange Scheme should your plans change.
Read more...
Jeffrey's introduction to the season
"Ex Cathedra is special. A highly regarded music critic once said that the choir was probably the best in the world. This is quite a claim and not only includes the technical virtuosity and unique chemistry of the singers but also the ethos of the ensemble, its ability and desire to communicate with audiences, its imaginative programming, its stylistic awareness and above all its humanity... Another leading commentator, festival director and respected musical thinker summed up our work by saying that Ex Cathedra was 'the most sophisticated, three dimensional and multi-layered of all the leading groups in the country'. This is high praise and something we strive to maintain."
