The Choir of St James’: St John Passion
The Choir of St James’ and BachBand@StJames directed by Warren Trevelyan-Jones present JS Bach’s St John Passion BWV 245, the powerful tale of Christ’s last journey.
It will be the City Recital Hall debut for Sydney’s oldest church choir as it performs this choral jewel, one of the most iconic works of the Baroque, accompanied by Sydney’s newest Baroque ensemble, BachBand@StJames’ and choristers of Santa Sabina College and SHORE.
Co-presented by City Recital Hall, the concert also features the debut of BachBand@StJames’, a period instrument ensemble dedicated to the works of J.S. Bach and formed especially for the Bach@St James’ series.
The international soloists line-up comprises tenor Richard Butler as the Evangelist, mezzo-soprano Sally-Anne Russell, soprano Amy Moore and bass-baritone Christopher Richardson.
Ever since its first performance in Leipzig on Good Friday 1724, JS Bach’s setting of the St John Passion has been one of the composer’s most loved works, performed all around the world in churches and concert halls at Easter time, as it recounts the harrowing last days of Christ and his journey to the cross through dramatic narrative and human reflection.
This is the inaugural concert in the choir’s 2017 series Journeys which also heralds the Bach at St James’ concert series beginning in June, which sees the performance of four of JS Bach’s cantatas and the popular Bach in the Dark series.
The Choir of St James’ directed by Warren Trevelyan-Jones, enjoys a reputation of being one the finest choirs in Australia. The Choir enjoys regular collaborations with international groups such as The Tallis Scholars, The King’s Singers, The Gabrieli Consort, and works with Opera Australia, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Baroque Brass, The Australian Haydn Ensemble, and soloists Yvonne Kenny, Greta Bradman and Teddy Tahu Rhodes.
The Choir of St James’ also is committed to supporting new Australian works, including compositions written by past and present members of the Choir. There is no other choir in Australia that fosters local talent in this way.
Having performed in Europe and Singapore, the Choir will next travel to Gallipoli as guests of the Department of Veteran Affairs to sing at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service on 25 April.
Full Price Tickets $65 (Concessions apply for members, groups and concession card holders).
A 20% is available on a subscription to all six concerts in the 2017 series.
