Audiences in Hobart will have a rare opportunity this March to experience St Matthew Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach, presented in two performances at St David’s Cathedral, under the direction of Thomas Rimes.
Widely regarded as one of the great masterpieces of Western sacred music, this monumental work will be performed by a distinguished ensemble of Tasmanian musicians, including the Allegri Ensemble, Bach Festival Chorus and Orchestra, and performers from the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra. Soloists: Soprano — Angela Brun, Alto — Katharine Tier, Tenor — Andrew Goodwin, Bass — Jack Stephens & Evangelist — Robert Jarman.
Often described as the most profound musical expression of the Easter story, the work explores themes of injustice, suffering and sacrifice that resonate far beyond religious tradition. Bach’s masterful setting conveys these universal themes with extraordinary emotional depth, offering a deeply moving experience for audiences of many faiths and backgrounds.
Performances of Bach’s St Matthew Passion are rare in Hobart due to the immense musical forces required, including double orchestra, double choir, children’s choir and multiple soloists. Bringing this monumental work to life represents a major undertaking for the Tasmanian musical community.
These performances will use a specially prepared edition in which parts of the narrative will be spoken in English, alongside Bach’s musical settings sung in the original German. This approach is intended to help audiences engage more directly with the unfolding Passion story while experiencing Bach’s music in its original form.