Collegium Cincinnati Brings New & Old Interpretation to Bach’s St John Passion

Christopher Eanes, Artistic Director of Collegium Cincinnati

Collegium Cincinnati, a rising star in Cincinnati’s music scene, will present Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion on Sunday, March 20th, nearly three hundred years after it was originally composed for Bach’s church in Leipzig.

However, this performance will differ quite a bit from what modern performances of the work usually look like.

First, there’s the choir - or lack thereof.

Artistic Director Christopher Eanes: “Bach wouldn’t have thought of a choir in quite the same that we do now. For him, the choir was a collection of fine singers, who shared solo arias, and all came together for the choral movements. When you hear it this way, you’ll get to hear the incredible intricacy and beauty of Bach’s counterpoint brought to the forefront, and truly connect with the meaning of the music that he wrote. Furthermore, many people believe that the congregation joined in singing the more well-know chorales (hymns), so that’s the way we’re going to do it.”

Just nine singers will perform for Collegium Cincinnati’s performance; each will sing one or more of the arias, and all will sing the choruses and chorales.

But the differences don’t end there: Collegium Cincinnati is inviting the audience to join in singing the choral tunes, just like they would have in Bach’s church. Lest patrons be scared off by the original German text, the chorales will be sung in English, with a short rehearsal provided the day of the concert.

Also a traditional element of the Passion performances, a thirty-minute organ recital will precede the performance. Stephan Casurella, Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, will be playing music of Bach and others.

Concert Information:

Bach: St. John Passion
Sunday, March 20, 2016
12:30 pm: Organ Prelude
1:00 pm: St John Passion

Tickets: $20 adults/$17 students/seniors

Christ Church Cathedral
318 East Fourth Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Tickets available at: www.collegiumcincinnati.org/tickets
For information by phone: (513) 428-2224

Collegium Cincinnati
Christopher Eanes, Conductor (Artistic Director)
Manami White, Concertmaster (Associate Conductor)
Michael Unger, Organ

Brian Thorsett, Tenor (Evangelist)
Danielle Adams, Soprano
Tyler Alessi, Baritone
Anthony Beck, Tenor
Allan Chan, Tenor
Jonathan Cooper, Baritone
Ellen Graham, Mezzo-Soprano
Melissa Harvey, Soprano
Lauren McAllister, Mezzo-Soprano

ABOUT COLLEGIUM CINCINNATI

Collegium Cincinnati is one of the most vibrant up-and-coming musical organizations serving the Greater Cincinnati Area. The Collegium, as it’s known, is dedicated to blowing the dust off the great repertoire, creating performances that are inspirational and exciting. One week might find the group performing Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos in a cozy bourbon bar, the next week presenting Telemann’s enigmatic Brockes Passion in one of the beautiful religious spaces in Cincinnati.

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