There is to be a filmed concert performance of Bach’s St John Passion to mark three hundred years since the first performance in 1724.
Choirmaster Gareth Malone has been on the hunt for eight amateur singers to perform this landmark piece of music alongside the BBC Singers, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and three world-class soloists. Our amateur singers come from a variety of backgrounds and this will be a unique experience for them, as they have little or no experience of singing in a classical choir, let alone joining a professional, televised performance.
Two documentary programmes are being produced to trace the amateur singers’ progress, interweaved with Gareth Malone’s own journey of discovery about the meaning of the Passion and the story of Bach and the music. The programmes will be broadcast over the Easter weekend of 2024 on the BBC with this full performance expected to air on Easter Sunday itself.
Please note that there will be audience participation in the very final part of the performance. The audience will be asked to sing the final chorale (rather like a hymn) which will last for approximately two minutes. No prior preparation will be required, but there will be a brief rehearsal on the day at 2.30pm.
Please be seated by 2.30pm.
Gareth Malone conductor
Julia Doyle soprano
Nicholas Mulroy tenor (Evangelist)
Roderick Williams baritone (Jesus)
BBC Singers
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Date: Friday 2 February
Venue: BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff
Doors open: 1.45pm
Recording starts: 3pm
To apply for tickets go HERE.
