The Chapel Choir Concerts

‘Haste, ye deeply wounded spirits…’

J.S. Bach’s St John Passion is an intensely personal experience, bringing to life the humanity of the passion story. Combining raw viscerality with moments of exquisite intimacy, it was written soon after Bach’s arrival as Kantor at Leipzig’s Thomasschule. Keen to impress a new congregation, Bach produced a setting of the age-old passion story which overshadowed almost every piece of liturgical music the world had previously known.

The Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea is one of the finest professional church choirs in the UK whose members regularly sing with many of the world’s leading consort groups, such as The Sixteen, The Tallis Scholars, Stile Antico, BBC Singers and Monteverdi Choir. All solos, bar those of the Evangelist and Christus, will be taken by members of the Choir.

William Vann, Director of Music at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, joins forces with the renowned early-instrument forces of the Academy of Ancient Music, rising star and critically acclaimed Evangelist James Way and world-renowned bass Matthew Rose in the role of Christus.

Sung in German.

‘First-class personnel… it’s the tension and subtlety in the performances that catch the ear’ (Gramophone on the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea)

‘…playing of irresistible colour and exuberance’ (The Telegraph on the Academy of Ancient Music)

‘It was the tenor James Way who took the breath away, however, with his immaculate tonal control and the astonishing maturity of his musicianship.’ (Evening Standard)

‘Matthew Rose’s Christus was simply immense.’ (Bachtrack)

NB. Please note start time.