Bach’s Passion According to St John has great dramatic impact in any venue but in the magnificent surroundings of Ampleforth’s Abbey Church even more so. Through the impassioned narrative of the Evangelist sung by a solo tenor, the vivid crowd scenes given to the chorus and the deeply emotional arias that afford us time to reflect on these events, Bach unfolds the story of Christ’s trail and crucifixion. The performance to be given on Sunday 9 March promises to be an inspiring way of participating more deeply in the events of Holy Week.
The central role of the chorus in this work will give plenty of scope to the large combined choirs of Ampleforth, accompanied by musicians gathered from amongst other places, Opera North. The role of the Evangelist will be sung by the tenor, Andrew King, who is acknowledged as a leading interpreter of Renaissance and Baroque music and is in much demand particularly as Evangelist in the Bach Passions. Andrew frequently works with the New London Consort and the Renaissance Ensemble. On the Operatic stage he has performed in Operas by Caccini, Monteverdi and Peri throughout the world. Andrew King has made numerous recordings for Decca, EMI, Hyperion, Philips and Virgin Classics. The Soprano is local Diva Lynne Dawson, also of international renown, who is particularly acclaimed for her recordings of the works of Handel and Purcell. Millions know Lynne through her concert and opera performances and perhaps, most of all, through her moving account of the Libera Me from Verdi’s Requiem sung at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. Lynne is well known for her superb recordings of Bach and Purcell and has had her voice described as ‘full, warm and intensely musical, a voice which floats over the orchestra with magical appeal. One that has the delicacy of nuance to make the music say much more than the mere notes indicate’
The St John Passion will take place at 7.30 pm in Ampleforth Abbey Church on Sunday 9 March 2008. Tickets priced from £10-£20 (concessions for students and senior citizens) can be obtained from Claire Evans, Development Office, Ampleforth College. Contact details: Telephone: 01439 766777. Email: cee@ampleforth.org.uk