In March 2019, we presented one of the greatest oratorios of all time, Bach’s St. John Passion.  Written in 1724 during his first year in Leipzig, Bach’s setting of scripture and poetry is a deeply human and intensely dramatic musical telling of the betrayal, suffering, and death of Christ.  Soloists portray characters such as Jesus, Peter, and Pilate, while the chorus portrays the angry mob, eager for bloodshed.  Arias provide moments of reflection on the drama and universal human themes including friendship and sacrifice, loyalty and betrayal, cruelty and compassion.

Noted interpreter of Bach, tenor Joseph Gaines returned to Pittsburgh and to Resonance Works as the Evangelist, ten years after first performing this masterwork with conductor Maria Sensi Sellner.  Pennsylvania native Joshua Jeremiah returned as Pilate and aria soloist, and newcomer Ivan Plazačić sang the role of Jesus. A distinguished cast of aria soloists including Katy Williams, Thespina Christulides, Corrie Stallings, Christina English, William Ottow, and George Milosh also served as the core of the small chamber chorus, creating a powerful and uniquely intimate performance experience of this masterwork.
 
We were thrilled to perform for the first time in the historic Heinz Memorial Chapel, which has long been associated with outstanding performances of Baroque masterworks, and to create a mini-series in the 2018-19 season (along with A Joyous Sound!) at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair.