Bach's 'St. John Passion' April 7
First performed 300 years ago on Good Friday, April 7, 1724, J.S. Bach's St. John Passion is renowned for its dramatic choruses, expressive arias, and compelling narrative. It sets text from the Gospel of John, chapters 18 and 19, composed in two parts: Part I ends with Peter's denial of Jesus, and Part II concludes with Christ's burial. Duke Chapel will present St. John Passion on Sunday, April 7, at 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Jeremy Begbie will give a pre-concert talk about St. John Passion at 2:45 p.m. in the Divinity School's Goodson Chapel. In his talk, he will show how Bach is a musical theologian who helps the audience enter the drama of John's Gospel by drawing upon the singular powers of music. Dr. Begbie is the Thomas A. Langford Distinguished Research Professor of Theology at Duke Divinity School and also the McDonald Agape Director of Duke Initiatives in Theology and the Arts.
Families with young children are invited to drop in on a rehearsal the day before the concert on Saturday, April 6, between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. This is a great way to hear the music in an informal setting.
Parking is available on a first-come-first-served basis in the Bryan Center garage at 125 Science Drive. ADA parking is available in the Bryan Center Surface Lot at the same address.
The Performers for St. John Passion are:
- Duke Chapel Evensong Singers
- Duke Chapel Schola Cantorum
- Mallarmé Music
- Philip Cave, conductor
- James Reese, Evangelist
- Molly Quinn, soprano
- Harrison Hintzsche, bass
- Charlie Moore, Christus