Jeannette Sorrell and Apollo’s Fire bring us a new performance of J. S. Bach’s classic oratorio, St. John Passion. Apollo’s Fire performed the oratorio in March as a live theatrical performance in both Apollo’s Fire’s native Cleveland and New York City; now, the ensemble offers the performance as a two-disc album with accompanying photos and online resources.
The oratorio takes its text from the gospel of John and received its first performance during Leipzig’s Good Friday service in 1724. The oratorio consists of recitatives taken directly from the gospel of John interspersed with arias and cantatas that use religious poetry to reflect on the Biblical text.
Using the original biblical text and Bach’s music, Sorrell staged and directed a new production of the St. John Passion featuring soprano Amanda Forsythe, countertenor Terry Wey, tenor Nicholas Phan and baritones Jesse Blumberg, Jeffrey Strauss and Christian Immler. The soloists are masterfully accompanied by the Apollo’s Fire musicians and singers.
Next month, Apollo’s Fire will be in residency at Dartmouth College’s Hopkins Center for the Arts. They will also appear this summer at Tanglewood. Don’t miss an opportunity to hear this stunning performance, praised by the New York Times as “resplendent” and “exquisite.”
