Performers
Programme
Accompanying programme
Concert introduction by Christian Kabitz
Admission exclusively for members and subscribers of the Frankfurter Bachkonzerte e. V., for subscribers to the Bach Series and for FRIENDS of the Alte Oper
Bach's St Matthew Passion is one of the greatest works of art in Western culture. It was first performed on Good Friday, 300 years ago, in St Thomas Church in Leipzig. This central work depicts the Passion of Jesus through gripping arias, choruses, recitatives and chorales, and remains the defining piece for organist and conductor Ton Koopman. "I have performed the St Matthew Passion more often than any other masterpiece," he says. 'I first encountered it about 70 years ago. I still perform it regularly, and every time it is a special event.” Ton Koopman is bringing an excellent quartet of soloists to Frankfurt for this performance, including the acclaimed soprano Julia Lezhneva and Klaus Mertens, one of the most experienced Bach singers of our time. Mertens has already sung all the cantatas and passions under Koopman's baton.
