Newcastle Bach Choir offer a St. John Passion for Lent

By Jane Shuttleworth, 03 April 2012

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

Reviewed at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music: Sage One, Gateshead on 3 March 2012

Bach, St John Passion, BWV245

Newcastle Bach Choir

Eric Cross, Conductor

Thomas Walker, Evangelist

Marcus Farnsworth, Christus

Mhairi Lawson, Soprano

Robin Blaze, Mezzo-soprano

Peter Harvey, Baritone

Newcastle Baroque

The North East's War Requiem

Jane Shuttleworth, 8th November

Sir Thomas Allen and Robert Murray give a compelling performance as the two soldiers in Britten's War Requiem.

Jewels at La Scala: a celebration of dance and dancers

Silvia Poletti, 11th March

Balanchine’s sparkling ballet reveals Manuel Legris’ vision for the Milanese company.

****1

Love's reign: an entertaining Poppea in Budapest

Orsolya Gyárfás, 9th September

Conducted by Iván Fischer, a strong cast delivers an entertaining performance of Monteverdi's opera in a production that amuses, but does not quite thrill.

***11

Orfeo meets the Bacchae: Monteverdi with a twist in Budapest

Orsolya Gyárfás, 18th September

Iván Fischer’s take on Monteverdi’s opera offers a radical rewriting within the trappings of a traditional staging.

***11

Gardiner steps into his Ring of Cantatas in Leipzig

Stephen Pritchard, 8th June

A taste of the opening weekend in Leipzig’s marathon Bach Festival.

****1

Disappointing St John Passion in Oslo

Jack Dhainaut, 6th April

The Oslo Philharmonic was left to tell the story due to some rather emotionless singing.

**111

More reviews...

Jane Shuttleworth

Jane Shuttleworth is a choral singer and recorder player, and specialises in Renaissance, baroque and modern music. She lives in Durham and runs a local music listings, news and reviews site Music in Durham