Inland Master Chorale will perform Bach's St. John Passion, accompanied by a Baroque orchestra, at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel on Sunday, March 15 at 4pm. (Courtesy photo)
REDLANDS, Calif. – Inland Master Chorale performs Bach's St. John Passion, accompanied by a Baroque orchestra, at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel on Sunday, March 15 at 4pm. The 80-member chorale is led by Dr. Joseph Modica.
Johann Sebastian Bach was just 39 years old when his St. John Passionpremiered in Leipzig, Germany on Good Friday in 1724. This musical telling of Christ's final days uses choral narratives and arias to explore suffering, betrayal, and divine love. English supertitle translations of the German text will be provided for the audience to follow along.
The work is divided into two parts, with the first focused on the betrayal and interrogation of Jesus. The second covers the trial before Pilate, the crucifixion, and burial.
Bach follows chapters 18 and 19 of the Gospel of John in the Luther Bible. The main soloist, tenor Stephan Lee, portrays John the Evangelist as narrator. Baritone Michael Hix performs as Jesus and baritone George Becker represents Pontius Pilate.
Soloists performing arias and other character roles for St. John Passion are Chorale members Sara Holmes, soprano; Gabi Ochoa, mezzo-soprano; Nathan Romero, tenor; Daniel Ramon, tenor; and Scott Cramer, bass.
Baroque-period instruments including the serpent, viola de gamba, great bass rackett, oboe da caccia, oboe d'amore, viola d'amore, violone, and harpsicord will join more familiar instruments–flute, bassoon, violin, viola, and cello–as part of the 22 piece orchestra.
Baroque-period instruments will join more familiar instruments–flute, bassoon, violin, viola, and cello–as part of the 22-piece orchestra. (Courtesy photo)
The Chorale season concludes on May 17 with a concert performance of “West Side Story,” the iconic musical with award-winning music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
All performances are Sundays at 4 pm at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel, 101 Chapel Drive in Redlands. Concert tickets are $35 online, or $40 at the door, and $10 for students and children. Children under five are not admitted. Tickets available at www.inlandmasterchorale.org.
