TOP CHESTER CHOIR TO STAGE PERFORMANCE OF CHORAL WORK TELLING THE EASTER STORY

Final preparations are underway in Chester for the staging of a concert at the City's original Cathedral, featuring a much-loved classical work which tells the Easter Story.

Chester Bach Singers, one of the Country's foremost choral groups will present J.S. Bach's "St Matthew Passion" in the historic surroundings of St John's Church in the City on Saturday 18^th March at 7.30pm. 

Written by Bach in 1727, the St Matthew Passion is widely regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of Baroque sacred music. It sets the 26^th and 27^th chapters of the Gospel of Matthew to music with interspersed chorales and arias.

Speaking about the special concert, Helen Crich of Chester Bach Singers said " The St Matthew Passion is one of those pieces that is much more dramatic and captivating than its dry and rather off-putting title suggests. When Bach wrote it, it was a constantly changing work. It was written to tell the story of Christ's Crucifixion in a Good Friday service but each time it was performed, Bach would make changes. The monumental piece it has become doesn't really represent Bach's view of it. It's a dramatic and constantly shifting re-telling of the crucifixion story.  To try to bring the impact of this emotional work as close as possible to an audience, Chester Bach Singers will perform it in English. This also means that we can invite the audience to join us in some of the hymns or chorales which form part of it. It will be wonderful to invite our audience to listen, explore and also sing!"

The choir will be joined for the performance by Shropshire based conductor Martin Bussey, 18^th Century Sinfonia and several world-class soloists including Tenor William Balkwill. A member of the world-famous Westminster Abbey Choir, Will has sung with all the major London Vocal ensembles.  Bass Andrew Randall is an experienced bass and sings regularly with Opera North and several other opera companies. Soprano Elizabeth Humphries makes a welcome return following previous performances in Haydn's Creation with CBS and Vivaldi's Gloria with Chester Festival Chorus. Countertenor Joe Judge most recently sang with CBS in the memorable 2021 performance of Bach's St John Passion. Bass Graham McCusker also makes a welcome return having developed his solo singing career including recently performing with the Dunedin Consort, renowned for their highly informed performances of Bach.

Full details of St Matthew Passion and Chester Bach Singers can be found at: 

www.chesterbachsingers.org.uk 

...where tickets can also be booked online.

Pictured - St Matthew Passion which will be performed at St John's Church in Chester by Chester Bach Singers.