At the start of Holy Week, come meditate on the profound music in J.S. Bach's masterpiece in its complete, uncut form at our recurring Palm Sunday concert. The St. Matthew Passion is considered one of Bach's supreme musical achievements, as it explores the depths of human emotion through reflective arias while shaping the dramatic narrative of Christ's arrest, crucifixion, and death on the cross. The size and scope are enormous, as it features two choirs, two orchestras, congregational chorales, a Children's Choir, vocal soloists, featured roles of the Evangelist (Brian Giebler), Jesus (Enrico Lagasca), and Pilate, and period-styled instruments. The music is sublimely beautiful, ornate and powerful - reflective of the Passion story itself, and the closest piece Bach ever came to composing opera.

In the Jesuit spirit of education and outreach, this special performance will engage avocational and student singers from outside the church. The talented, avocational singers of The Greenwich Village Chamber Singers will perform the role of Choir 1, and the advanced collegiate music students in the Hunter College Chamber Singers will perform Choir 2. Two of the parish's volunteer choruses - The Parish Community Choir and Canticum Sacrum - will join the large-scale Hunter College Choir to perform the chorales seated in the congregation, as would have been heard and experienced during Bach's time. Advanced vocal soloists from Hunter will perform the arias where possible, supplemented by professional singers from the Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola. The St. Ignatius Children's Choirs will perform in two featured choruses in the work, and the entire performance will be anchored by the all-professional Orchestra of St. Ignatius.

A true community event, this performance will mark the start of an ongoing Palm Sunday series that marks the start of Holy Week at the parish. If you are interested in joining any of the avocational choirs involved in this concert, please email music@saintignatiusloyola.org.

Ticketholders will be welcome to sing along with the choir. Music will be provided via QR code. Bring your tablet!

—ignatius.nyc