It is a real Dutch tradition
‘De Matthäus’ can be heard every year around Easter in hundreds of sold-out concert halls and packed full churches. Tonight, British chief conductor Duncan Ward and a top cast of Dutch singing talent will shed light on this poignant masterpiece. Let yourself be touched by beloved arias such as Erbarme dich and Aus Liebe, get chills down your spine when the choir thunders and lightning, get carried away in the passion story of Jesus in the sung narration of the evangelist.

The Passion of Jesus according to Bach
The St. Matthew Passion was first performed some three hundred years ago in the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. Together with the lyricist Picander, Bach created a grand masterpiece for two orchestras, two choirs, a children’s choir and vocal soloists. The story follows the last days of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Matthew. Bach used traditional melodies from the Lutheran hymnal and composed brand new, revolutionary music. The work can be experienced as an opera. All characters from the story, such as Christ, Peter, Judas, a grieving woman and the high priest, are interpreted by the singers. The chorus represents the people or the soldiers. All emotions and the atmosphere of the scenes are expressed in the music. So it’s like you’re there. Experience the Passion of Jesus, a tale of betrayal, death and love. Emotions of all times lifted to a higher level by the genius music of Johan Sebastian Bach.

Chief Conductor: Duncan Ward
Marcel Beekman (Evangelist)
Huub Claessens (Christ)
Judith van Wanroij (soprano)
Rosanne van Sandwijk (alto)
Lenard Vrielink (tenor)
Raoul Steffani (baritone)

In collaboration with Studium Chorale & Schola Cantorum Puerorum

Source : PLT Website