{"id":122671,"date":"2026-03-17T16:18:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T20:18:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=122671"},"modified":"2026-03-18T08:00:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T12:00:02","slug":"preview-toronto-mendelssohn-choir-presents-bachs-st-matthew-passion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/03\/17\/preview-toronto-mendelssohn-choir-presents-bachs-st-matthew-passion\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Presents Bach\u2019s St. Matthew Passion"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Singers
Singers of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (2019, Photo: Brian Summers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir will take on Bach\u2019s epic St. Matthew Passion in concert. Joining the choir are soloists Jonathon Adams, Isaiah Bell, Allyson McHardy, Nicholas Nicolaidis, and Sherezade Panthaki, as well as the St. Michael\u2019s Choir School.<\/p>\n

In a video on the TMC website, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Jean-S\u00e9bastien Vall\u00e9e remarks that Bach\u2019s St. Matthew Passion offers, \u201cnot simply a story from the past, but a profound reflection on human suffering, and what it means to respond with empathy, dignity, and care.\u201d<\/p>\n

The concerts take place March 24 and 25 at Koerner Hall.<\/p>\n

\"Johann
Johann Sebastian Bach, 1748\u00a0(aged 61) in a portrait by\u00a0Elias Gottlob Haussmann, second version of his 1746 canvas (Public domain)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bach\u2019s St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244<\/h3>\n

Bach\u2019s sacred oratorio was written in 1727 and features soloists and a double choir. The libretto was written by Picander, aka German poet Christian Friedrich Henrici, who had written the texts for a few of Bach\u2019s secular and sacred cantatas prior to the St. Matthew Passion. Both the lyrics and melodies of the chorales are drawn from the Lutheran hymn book, enriched by Bach\u2019s harmonies. Picander wrote original lyrics for the opening and closing choruses, and the arias.<\/p>\n

While it tells the story of Jesus\u2019 betrayal, judgment, death, and burial, the work is also infused with love and empathy. The singers take on the roles of various characters, and offer different perspectives on the story, including that of Judas, Peter, a slave girl, the high priests, the public, soldiers, and others, and that of Christ himself. The \u201cDaughters of Zion\u201d, i.e. citizens of Jerusalem, and the faithful are presented as separate groups, often in dialogue with each other. Musically, the split is reflected in the double choir configuration.<\/p>\n

As they sing, the action of the story pauses.<\/p>\n

The piece, one of the composer\u2019s most ambitious works, is dramatic and devout, and imbued with Bach\u2019s musical genius.<\/p>\n

Performers<\/h3>\n

The concert features the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir with guest soloists and choir, including:<\/p>\n