J S Bach's St. John Passion review

Although Bach's St. John Passion was not a concert performance, it possessed the same high standard of singing and orchestral brilliance.

All those attending entered in silence, watched and left in silence without any applause before, during or after the performance.

The Combined Choirs of St Peter's Cathedral and Elder Conservatorium, including the Elder Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra provided superb support to Robert MacFarlane, Keith Hempton and Lachlan Scott in featured roles.

Einfach Klasse! by Linh

It was standing room only in the packed St Peter's Cathedral, as Reverend Steven Odgen welcomed and thanked all for attending the special meditative and reflective event for Good Friday.

JS Bach's St. John Passion was performed in German with tenor Robert MacFarlane in one of his biggest and longest singing roles as Evangelista. Robert has a magnificence in vocal quality and expression to match the recitative nature of the performance. Bass Keith Hempton was moving and defiant as Christus (Jesus), while singing in fine timbre and precision. Another brilliant bass Lachlan Scott as Pilatus, has the ability to colour the text with his deep dark vocal tones adding authority and something sinister to the character.

The combined choirs brought passion and excitement to the hymns and arias, reflecting on the dramatic scenes, while the orchestra, under the baton of musical director Carl Crossin, brought to life the complexity, sophistication and poetic imagery of Bach's music.

An impressive performance of Bach's St. John Passion, was initially composed to allow the audience to identify with Jesus' suffering and sacrifice through music, yet it is enjoyable on a non-spiritual level.