As part of its Bach season, Music for Galway is delighted to present the Irish Baroque Orchestra’s production of Bach masterpiece, St. Matthew’s Passion, in Galway’s Cathedral on Saturday March 25 at 7.30pm.
Irish conductor Peter Whelan will direct the Irish Baroque Orchestra and vocal ensemble, Sestina Music, with solo parts taken from members of the choir and the Evangelist role sung by the magnetic tenor James Way.
Bach wrote hundreds of sacred pieces during his tenure as Director of church music at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. The St. Matthew Passion is the most elaborate of all works by this Baroque master, with a big part of the music given to four soloists.
It represents the culmination of his sacred music and of Baroque music as a whole. The story for the work was taken mostly from the Gospel According to Matthew, with the actual verses Bach set to music provided by a number of contemporary poets. Premiered on April 11 1727, it was performed several times during Bach’s lifetime, only to be forgotten for nearly eighty years, until Mendelssohn discovered and performed it with a 400-strong chorus and full orchestra in Berlin.
Bring a cushion, and experience this exceptional work performed by an outstanding cast.
Music for Galway and the Irish Baroque Orchestra are funded by the Arts Council. The performance in Galway is made possible through generous sponsorship by KPMG.
Tickets are available from the Music for Galway website: www.musicforgalway.ie or by phone: 091 705962.
They are €30/€27 or €12 for full-time students and school-age children. Music for Galway Friends have a special concession of €25. If you are interested in becoming a MfG Friend, visit their website or phone the office.
