FOR THE first time in Ireland, JS Bach’s epic choral masterpiece, the St Matthew Passion, will be performed and Galway’s St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church is the venue.
The St Matthew Passion, written by JS Bach in 1727, will be performed on Good Friday (April 6 ) at 5pm by the Irish Baroque Orchestra and the Resurgam choir, directed by Mark Duley.
“St Matthew Passion speaks to everyone through the language of music and appeals to people of all religions and none,” says Mr Duley. “People respond to the drama - it’s almost like Christ’s Passion, the greatest spectacle of all time, is being played out in front of you. People also get caught up in the deeper message - as a spiritual experience, it’s never been bettered or surpassed.”
Resurgam will perform with a similar sized choir to that Bach would have had for the piece’s original performances while the Irish Baroque Orchestra will play instruments modelled on those of the 1720s.
“We use two sets of soloists from within the two choirs, just as Bach would have done in his day,” says Mr Duley, “as we try to get as close as possible to the very heart of this music.”
Tickets are €25/€20, from 0818 205 205 and Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Middle Street.
