 Here are some tips and tricks for preparing for Sunday's performance of the Saint John Passion
With just nine outstanding singers and an world-class orchestra, you’ll hear Bach’s first passion the way he intended it. The story of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus is told through the incredibly powerful music of the world’s greatest composer – J.S. Bach. Bach’s St. John Passion is exciting, frightening, and heart-wrenching. Here are some ways you can get ready: Download a copy of the full orchestra score. (We don't mind if you want to follow it on your iPad during the performance, by the way.) Download Part I Download Part II Listen to a full version of the performance now! This link will take you to the late Nikolaus Harnoncourt's seminal recording of the Saint John Passion. Maestro Harnoncourt was a pioneer in the early-music movement and passed away this month. Will you be singing the chorales during the performance? Here are some things to consider. You are invited to sing along on the chorales (printed below), as many believe the congregation would have in Bach’s time. The tunes would have been familiar to his eighteenth-century audience, as many of them will be to you today. We kindly ask the following:
Finally, don't forget to come at 12:30 for the organ prelude! Bach: St. John Passion Sunday, March 20, 2016 1:00 pm (organ prelude begins at 12:30 pm) Christ Church Cathedral 318 East Fourth Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 On Singing the Chorales
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 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. Nine sublime voices, One incredible story. Bach’s 1724 masterpiece heard the way he intended. With just nine outstanding singers and an world-class orchestra, you’ll hear Bach’s first passion the way he intended it. Read about your St John Passion cast members below, and don't forget to reserve your tickets today! Ticket are available at: www.collegiumcincinnati.org/tickets  Collegium Cincinnati is excited to announce the launch of a new, multi-year project to bring the fun and fulfillment of Bach's Cantatas to performers and audiences of all ages.
On February 6, three local choirs (Cincinnati Boychoir, Xavier University Concert Choir, Christ Church Cathedral Choir) will join Collegium Cincinnati for a 'round robin' of Bach's Cantatas. Each cantata will be performed by a different ensemble with a different conductor. Bach's cantatas are among the most important, meaningful, and beautiful works written in the classical music genre. The chance to perform them with the excellent musicians of the Collegium is an experience that we hope will be fun for all! The CantataFest performance kicks off at 4:00 pm on Saturday, February 6, and is one of the many events featured as a part of Cincinnati's Early Music Month. Saturday, February 6 | 4:00 pm Christ Church Cathedral Tickets: $15 for General Admission, $10 for Students & Seniors Bach: Cantata 118 “O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht” – Cincinnati Boychoir Bach: Cantata 61 "Nun komm, der heiden heiland" - Xavier University Concert Choir Bach: Cantata 22 “Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe” - Christ Church Cathedral Choir Bach: Cantata 150 “Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich” - Collegium Cincinnati CantataFest is made possible by a generous grant from the Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund of the Greenacres Foundation. For tickets, visit: www.collegiumcincinnati.org/tickets |
