Man holding arms in air conducting orchestra

Opening Concert: St Matthew Passion

Opening Concert: St Matthew Passion

Edinburgh Festival Chorus revives Mendelssohn's arrangement of Johann Sebastian Bach’s sublime piece about Christ's last days on earth before his resurrection.

The young Felix Mendelssohn transformed Johann Sebastian Bach’s majestic St Matthew Passion for modern orchestra. His groundbreaking performances of his impassioned arrangement in Berlin (1829) and Leipzig (1841 – the version heard in this concert) changed the course of music history. Without these, the great Bach revival might never have happened.

Mendelssohn’s version foregrounds the urgent narrative and potent emotions of the Passion story, illustrating Christ’s capture, trial and crucifixion.

Join the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, their Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth, the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and six soloists – including ‘star evangelist’ (The Arts Desk) Ed Lyon – as they rekindle an epoch-defining event.

For the full opening weekend experience, discover Osvaldo Golijov’s contrasting exploration of the Passion story, performed on 3 August.

The Warm Up: Opening Concerts

Nicola Benedetti is joined by Composer Osvaldo Golijov and Edinburgh Festival Chorus Conductor James Grossmith to discuss this pair of opening concerts: two monumental and contrasting interpretations of Christ's crucifixion.

Osvaldo tells us how he does his best work before dawn, and explains how he has brought the diverse instrumentation of South America into this performance of La Pasión según San Marcos. James highlights the historical significance of this arrangement of Bach’s majestic St Matthew Passion, and the rituals he and the Festival Chorus share in preparing for such an important performance.

The Warm Up: Opening Concerts

Buy standard price tickets for both Opening Weekend concerts at Usher Hall and get 20% off. Excludes concessions and top-price tickets, more details over on Booking Info.

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    Programme

    A souvenir programme is available for this performance. Available at the venue for £10 (card only). You can also pick up a freesheet with all the essential information you’ll need.

    Full Orchestra Listing

    BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
    Ryan Wigglesworth Conductor

    Edinburgh Festival Chorus
    James Grossmith Chorus Director

    RSNO Youth Chorus
    Patrick Barrett Chorus Director

    Elizabeth Watts Soprano
    Dame Sarah Connolly Alto
    Laurence Kilsby Tenor
    James Atkinson Bass

    Ed Lyon Evangelist
    Neal Davies Christus

    Bach arr. Mendelssohn St Matthew Passion (1841 Leipzig version)

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