Saint Matthew Passion: A Local History

Anyone who takes on the Saint Matthew Passion knows what a commitment it is in time, money and manpower.  It is a monumental undertaking and one not taken lightly, particularly not in a city the size of Halifax where the pool of talent is relatively small. Yet, despite its size and complexity, the Saint Matthew Passion has been performed several times in the last 40 years. While this brief history attempts to envelop as much of the local history as possible, it is by no means complete. We welcome memories and submissions from any and all fans of the Saint Matthew Passion.
 - compiled by Cheryl Bell




1975
Directed by Klaro Mizerit, conductor of the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, 1968-1977
Italian-born Klaro Mizerit was the first permanent conductor of the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. He also founded the Atlantic Choir to complement the orchestra in major choral works. With the orchestra and the choir, plus additional players, he was able to perform the Saint Matthew Passion and other masterworks.

1978
Directed by Dr Walter Kemp, chair of the Dalhousie University Music Department and director of the Dalhousie Chorale
Performed in the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
For this performance of the complete score, which was sung in English, the 200-strong Dalhousie Chorale was divided into two separate choirs across the Rebecca Cohn auditorium and faced the audience. Dalhousie Cultural Affairs hired the Atlantic Symphony to play. Dr Kemp invited the John W MacLeod Elementary School Choir, under the direction of Riet Vink, to sing the cantus firmus lines. The Evangelist was the Canadian Opera Company tenor Mark Dubois in his first performance of this role.

1983 - 1985
Directed by Paul Murray, director of music at St Matthew’s United Church
Both performances featured a professional orchestra from what was by then Symphony Nova Scotia. The Toronto tenor Albert Greer was the Evangelist on both occasions, which were sung in English. The 1985 performance was stretched over an afternoon and evening, with “Bach’s Lunches” provided, following the example of the Royal Festival Hall concerts by Sir David Willcocks and the London Bach Choir. The 1985 performance was a complete presentation in honour of the Bach birthday anniversary year.

1987 - 1989
Directed by Dr Walter Kemp
Performed in St Paul’s Anglican Church
For this performance, the 30 or so St Paul’s Singers were divided into two groups, which faced each other in the choir stalls on either side of the chancel. Members of Symphony Nova Scotia made up the orchestra. Brian Roberts from Memorial University was the Evangelist in the 1987 performance and Ken Beale of Toronto performed the role in 1989. These concerts were sung in German.

1993
Directed by Dr Walter Kemp
Performed in Pope John XXIII Roman Catholic Church, Cole Harbour
The Georgian Singers (formerly the St Paul’s Singers) and the Dalhousie Chamber Choir formed the two choirs and members of Symphony Nova Scotia made up the orchestra. The Evangelist was Henry Ingram of Toronto.  Sung in German.

1999
Directed by John Hudson
Performed at St Matthew’s United Church
This performance of the Saint Matthew Passion was held to mark the “250th  year in the life of the congregation of Saint Matthew’s United Church.” The church choir was supplemented with a number of ‘friends’ and the Elementary School Choir of Sacred Heart School, under the direction of Diane Ashworth. The 15-member orchestra was drawn from Symphony Nova Scotia, with Anne Rapson as concertmaster.  The Evangelist was Tim Matthews and Stephen Hartlen performed the role of Jesus.

2002  
Directed by Dr Walter Kemp
Performed in the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
The Walter Kemp singers (formerly the Georgian Singers) and the Dalhousie Chamber Choir were choirs I and II, while the Dalhousie Chorale sang the Chorales and joined in the opening and closing choruses. The Dalhousie Orchestra provided the instrumentalists. Blaine Hendsbee (Dalhousie graduate and professor of music at the University of Lethbridge) sang the part of the Evangelist. Sung in German. 

 Below are pages from the 1999 program. Many thanks to Margaret Arklie for this valuable contribution. Please click images to enlarge.

The Saint Matthew Passion: An Introduction

The Chapel Choir of the University of King's College, under the direction of award-winning musician and composer Paul Halley, will present J S Bach's masterwork, the St Matthew Passion, on Wednesday, April 20th at St John's Anglican Church, Lunenburg, and on Friday, April 22nd at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax.  These performances will feature a line-up of stellar young soloists from across North America, the boys of Capella Regalis, and the chamber orchestra Ensemble Regale, led by baroque specialist David Greenberg and augmented by some of the finest early music musicians in Canada and the United States.

Written for double orchestra and double choir and soloists, the Saint Matthew Passion is rarely performed because of the monumental scale of the work and the cost of mounting a production. It was last performed in Halifax ten years ago under the direction of Dr Walter Kemp.



“The Saint Matthew Passion is unquestionably one of the greatest artistic offerings in human history,” says Paul Halley. “Thanks to a great deal of research over the past 50 years, the best performances of Bach's music—and baroque music in general—now strive to be faithful to the original intent of the composer. Here in Halifax, we are blessed with the presence of one of the great masters in the world of baroque music, David Greenberg. The players and singers we have been able to assemble from across North America mean that this performance will be true to Bach's own performances of the Saint Matthew Passion in Leipzig in 1727.
    Tickets for the Halifax concert can be purchased from  the King’s Co-op Bookstore (902.422.6011 ext 261) and cost $35 (priority), $25 (general) and $15 (student). All proceeds from the concert, which is produced by Musique Royale, will be used to support the King’s College Chapel Choir Scholarship Fund. Patron tickets are also available at $75 for those who wish to make a special contribution to the fund. Doors open at 6.45.

Tickets for the Lunenburg concert can be purchased from Fulton's General Store in Lunenburg, or by calling 902.634.9994. Adults $25 and students $10 at the door.

Early booking for both concerts is recommended.