Bach St. John Passion May 2, 2010

For the first time in a decade, the California Bach Society presents Bach's beloved Passion According to Saint John. Artistic Director and countertenor Paul Flight's connection with the Passion goes back 30 years. From singing the role of Jesus as a young baritone in a church choir performance in Hartford, Connecticut, to first performing the countertenor arias while in the Early Music program at Indiana University, he now realizes a conductor's dream: to bring this masterpiece to Bay Area audiences with a fine chamber choir and baroque orchestra.

First performed on Good Friday in 1724, The Passion According to Saint John tells the story of Jesus' crucifixion. A tenor Evangelist tells the story from Jesus' last meal with his followers to his burial, while Jesus is sung by a bass soloist. The choir plays several functions -- portraying the gathered crowds in thrilling, fiery, angry and often mocking choruses; and exemplifying the faithful in familiar Lutheran chorales.

The beautiful solo arias offer personal reflection by affected onlookers, such as "Ich folge dir gleichfalls" for soprano and flutes, and "Es ist vollbracht" for alto and gamba.

California Bach Society performs the first, and most widely known, version of the Passion, from 1724, which includes the pleading opening chorus, "Herr, unser Herrscher," as well as the intimate bass arioso, "Betrachte meine Seel," and tenor aria "Erw￤ge, wie sein blutgef￤rbter Rcken," all of which are absent from the 1725 version.

California Bach Society's performances of this masterpiece feature soprano Rita Lilly, countertenor Paul Flight, tenor Brian Staufenbiel (arias & Evangelist), baritone Scott Graff (Jesus), and bass Marc Pantus (arias & Pilate). The 30-voice choir is joined by a baroque orchestra including such fine players as David Wilson, Katherine Kyme and Farley Pearce.

Official Website: http://www.calbach.org