Johann Sebastian Bach: St John Passion, BWV245

Julie Cooper, Soprano
William Purefoy, Countertenor
Jeremy Budd, Tenor
Ben Davies, Bass
Rob Waters, Evangelist
Giles Underwood, Christus

Choros
Corona Baroque Ensemble (Leader, Miranda Walton)
Conductor, Janet Lincé

A much anticipated occasion in Oxford’s Easter calendar this month is presented by Janet Lince's period instrument specialists, Corona Baroque Ensemble under leader Miranda Walton, who will be joined by a hand-picked line-up of top soloists to perform one of the season's best-loved works.

Sung in the original German, the St John Passion is a sacred oratorio by Baroque composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, setting a dramatic and reflective depiction of the Passion through choruses and arias, as told in the The New Testament’s Gospel of John.

Bach composed the work in Leipzig for the Good Friday Vespers service of 1724 and, compared to his St Matthew Passion written three years later, the work is often considered to be more extravagant and spontaneous, with listeners responding to the expressive immediacy. Revised by the composer on several occasions, there are, in fact, four alternative versions.

As winners of some of the most prestigious song competitions, Janet Lince’s multitalented line-up of soloists hail from the leading academies. As well as recording extensively, they have performed with the principal orchestras, at internationally renowned opera festivals and as consort singers in groups such as The Sixteen, Cantabile, and the Monteverdi Choir, as well as being featured on TV, radio and in film.

“We aim to offer a platform for exciting soloists”, explained Conductor, Janet Lincé, “and I am thrilled that we have been able to engage several superb singers based right here in Oxford. A while ago I was asked whether I would like to perform a concert in memory of a friend; a fine amateur musician whose favourite composer was Bach. It seemed to me that the ‘St John Passion’, one of the composer’s greatest works, fitted the bill perfectly and I was delighted to arrange this performance in her honour.”

St. John’s Church, Iffley Road provides a warm and comfortable venue with a superb acoustic.