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Details
Stoller Hall
Hunts Bank
Manchester
M3 1DA
England
Programme
Johann Sebastian Bach – St Matthew Passion, BWV 244
Performers
Nick Pritchard – Evangelist
Peter Harvey – Christus
Elin Manahan Thomas – soprano
Tim Morgan – counter-tenor
Jeremy Budd – tenor
Damian O'Keeffe – Bass
Keith Orrell – director / harpsichord
18th Century Sinfonia
William Byrd Singers
Choir of Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Atherton
Other concerts in this Series (+)
Programme Note
Music lovers will be excited by the prospect of a full-scale live performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion this Easter in Manchester. This moving account of Jesus Christ’s last days before his crucifixion features heart-rending arias and sweeping choruses.
It’s hard to find authentic performances of such a demanding masterpiece in the original German. The William Byrd Singers will form two choirs alongside six internationally acclaimed soloists, the period instruments of the 18th Century Sinfonia, and a chorus of children from Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Atherton.
Baritone Peter Harvey will sing the part of Jesus, while tenor Nicholas Pritchard will narrate the action as the Evangelist. The other soloists will be Elin Manahan Thomas (soprano), Tim Morgan (countertenor), Jeremy Budd (tenor), and Damian O’Keeffe (bass).
The professional musicians of the 18th Century Sinfonia play authentic period instruments to help choirs achieve high-level performances of works as their composers intended; and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School is locally renowned for the quality of its pupils’ singing.
The William Byrd Singers are a Manchester-based chamber choir which takes pride in the quality and range of its performances. Keith Orrell, its Musical Director, also directs the Liverpool Welsh Choral and is a dedicated church musician. He will direct the St Matthew Passion in addition to playing harpsichord.
