Johann Sebastian Bach: Matthaus-Passion

Soloists:

Peter Schreier (Evangelist and arias), Bernd Weikl (Jesus), Mitsuko Shirai (soprano), Marga Schiml (alto), Franz Grundheber (bass)

Orchestra, choir:

Hamburg Ballet, St. Michaelis Orchestra, St. Michaelis Choir, Hanover Boys' Choir

Conductor:

Günther Jena

Choreographer:

John Neumeier



I am both a Christian and a dancer Johann Sebastian Bach's St. Matthew Passion has touched me deeply. Bach's musical interpretation of the Passion, both on a general and personal level, awakened in me the need to find a choreographic counterpart for it. I am both Christ and a dancer. My whole life, all my thoughts and feelings are dance, and choreography is my true language. That is why I have tried to express my own religious beliefs and experiences in choreographic terms and organize them into an artistic form. Throughout my career as a choreographer, I have never experienced such perfect harmony with dancers as I did during the creation of the St. Matthew Passion. It was a period when we learned from each other, instinctively experienced the emotions evoked by the text and music together, collaborated positively, and focused on our work. Even if this ballet had never progressed beyond rehearsals and had never been performed, the process of creating it remains the most profound experience of my working life.” John Neumeier “This ballet and its meanings feed the imagination and are personally relatable, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to imagine any other group performing it. It is a unique expression of this man and the group he created." Dance Magazine BONUS: Includes a multi-angle view