of importing the great European masterworks. Almost 50 years older than our nation, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion continues to speak to all mankind.

One of the most ambitious musical compositions of all time by the greatest musical genius of all time, J.S. Bach demonstrates his strength as a dramatic composer in this musical interpretation of Christ’s final sufferings. The Handel & Haydn Society gave the U.S. premiere of the complete work on Good Friday 1879. True Concord’s performances commemorate the 300th anniversary of the work’s creation.

Gathering the powerful forces of multiple soloists and choirs plus two orchestras, Bach tells the story through text from the Gospel of Matthew, German poetry, and hymns of the Lutheran Church.

The Passion begins with an immense wave of sound, building with intensity and sweeping the listener into the drama. Each solo voice, choir and orchestra plays a role. Described as a “majestic cathedral of music,” this work is at once intimate and monumental.