In this moving and highly dramatic setting of the Passion story, composed for a Good Friday service in 1724, the tenor narrates the words of St John’s Gospel while the other soloists and the choir take on the roles of Jesus and the wide variety of characters whose actions led inexorably to his death.

Intense crowd scenes are interspersed with deeply felt arias and chorales meditating on the spiritual significance of the events and the work begins and ends with choruses in praise of Christ as Lord and Saviour.

A cast of exceptional soloists, together with the leading period-instrument specialists of Counterpoint, will enhance the work’s impact.

Sung in German.