ON Good Friday, 1724, JS Bach’s St John Passion was first performed in Leipzig, Germany.
Three hundred years later, on Palm Sunday 2024, a very different, semi-staged version of the work will be performed by professional singers, musicians and Barnard Castle Choral Society in St Mary’s Parish Church, Barnard Castle.
The production will also include three local amateur actors in supporting roles.
The idea of creating an original dramatisation of the Passion was inspired by a conversation between Richard Dawson, director of music at Barnard Castle School and local professional soprano Penny Randall-Davis, who share a love of Bach’s music.
Talented young professional singers have been recruited to enact the story in the atmospheric setting of the church, supported by the Choral Society and accompanied by the renowned Skipton Camerata.
“Whether your frame of reference is Christian or not, the feeling of this work is as vivid and meaningful for a modern audience today as it was in Bach’s time”, said Penny.
“We have had such an exciting time in rehearsal working with the young singers – all of whom have connected with the emotional truths of the story.
“It has been very moving, seeing it all come to life and we’re hoping that people will find the experience as uplifting and powerful today as audiences in Leipzig will have done all those years ago.”
The performance at St Mary’s starts at 7pm on Sunday, March 24. Tickets are £15/£12 concessions and free for U19s. Email sjn@barneyschool.org.uk.
