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.