Bach's St. John Passion (Oakland)

About This Event

This spring, we present one of the greatest oratorios of all time, Bach’s St. John Passion.  Written in 1724 during his first year in Leipzig, Bach’s setting of scripture and poetry is a deeply human and intensely dramatic musical telling of the betrayal, suffering, and death of Christ.  Soloists portray characters such as Jesus, Peter, and Pilate, while the chorus portrays the angry mob, eager for bloodshed. Arias provide moments of reflection on the drama and universal human themes including friendship and sacrifice, loyalty and betrayal, cruelty and compassion.

A noted interpreter of early repertoire, tenor Joseph Gaines returns to Pittsburgh and to Resonance Works as the Evangelist, ten years after first performing this masterwork with conductor Maria Sensi Sellner.  Philadelphia native bass-baritone Michael Scarcelle (Rusalka) portrays Jesus.  An octet of aria soloists will also serve as the core of the small chamber chorus, creating a powerful and uniquely intimate performance experience not to be missed!  

We are thrilled to be performing for the first time in the historic Heinz Memorial Chapel, which has long been associated with outstanding performances of Baroque masterworks, and to create a mini-series this season at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair.

About Zones:

Starting in 2018-19 all Resonance Works performances are ticketed in four zones: A, B, C, and D.  In venues that lack numbered seats, such as this one, each zone will correspond to a section of seating.  Zone A is the closest to the performers, with Zones B, C, and D progressively further away (and progressively cheaper).  To the best of our abilities, we will ensure that no seats in any zone have obstructed views.  Seating within each zone is general admission.  Your ticket will indicate the zone and that it's general admission.