Saturday 16th April 2011 at 7.00pm

To mark the end of its 75th Season the Bach Choir will mark this Anniversary with one of Bach’s greatest offerings the Passion according to St. John. For many this work is superior to the setting of his St. Matthew Passion, with which the Choir opened its 75th Season. The choir will again be accompanied by the renown period orchestra Charivari Agréable. The St. John depicts the drama of the Lord’s Passion in a more fiery style than that of St. Matthew and this is particularly revealed in the choruses, but the drama of the story and the sincerity of the composer shine through brightly and convincingly.

Details Timings: Saturday 16th April 2011 at 7.00pm (please note the earlier than usual start time) Venue: St. Matthews Church, Kettering Road, Kingsley, Northampton, NN1 4RY Programme: Passion According to St John Performers Evangelist – Benjamin Hulett Christus – Giles Underwood Clare Lloyd – soprano James Laing – Counter Tenor Mark Chaundy – Tenor Edward Grint – bass Northampton Bach Choir All Saint’s Church Choir Charivari Agréable Lee Dunleavy – conductor

Audience Comments

The performance of this wonderfully moving work was excellent. I sat enthralled. All the soloists were first class – diction very clear, emotion powerful yet restrained, tine full and rich. Charivari Agréable excelled themselves as their reviews in the programme said they would! Fascinating sound was produced by the two viola d’amore in their duet and I loved the singing tone of the viola da gamba. Well done choir for such a wonderful evening, preparing us for Easter. More people should have been there – they really don’t appreciate what they missed!

JP - Spinney Hill, Northampton

Long, moving, well sung with mostly clear diction. An outstanding Evangelist in Benjamin Hulett, and an altogether thoroughly enjoyable and up-lifting performance.

JK – Collingtree Park, Northampton

Congratulations on such a fine performance of Bach’s St John Passion. The Northampton Bach Choir managed to successfully express the solemnity, emotion and drama of this work with true sincerity. This stylish interpretation crafted by conductor Lee Dunleavy was engaging, articulate and sensitivity to the text was always to the fore.

The choir were superbly accompanied by Charivari Agreable, recognized as ‘one of the classiest baroque bands’ around, and joined by very talented young soloists and an exceptional Evangelist - Benjamin Hulett.

For any choir to measure up so well to the period ensemble Charivari Agreable is always an accomplishment, and even more so for a Choral Society.

This performance was a significant achievement for the Northampton Bach Choir.

SM – Ealing, London

Just a line to say how much I enjoyed the Bach Choir's performance of the St John Passion last Saturday. The soloists were excellent, and the Charivari Agreeable splendid, while the Choir sang this demanding piece with accuracy and great feeling. Under the conductor a most memorable evening, which persuades one to come along to hear this choir again.

DC – Hunsbury, Northampton

And a reflection from the Choir’s Musical Director:-

Bravo for an excellent St John Passion tonight! Lovely clear diction and some great shapes. I allowed you some room in the opening chorus (next time I won't be so lenient!), and you really gave it va-va-voom (or should that be, Ja-Ja-Jastimmme?) ... let's be brave next time and do it auf Detusch, na Ja???

Bravo to Ben and Giles; Clare, James, Jon and Ed; Kah-Ming, Gareth and Charivari Agréable, for such lovely solos and accompaniment.

LD