Thrilled to report that our recent performance of St John filled St Matthias with passion – and audience. The church was packed. Here are just some of the many gorgeous comments we have received. It was hard work but we are thrilled it stirred something in everyone.
“In the cold light of day after the rosiest of evening warmth, can we all give another huge round of applause to Ruth whose vision and dogged determination gave everyone in the church such a phenomenal experience yesterday evening. Words like moving, touching, awesome, unforgettable, mind-blowing are just a few in heard on the grapevine. Ruth rocks!”
“Huge cheer to Ruth for the vision to do SJP differently and also to Cec Darker – feedback from my audience was that the dramatic action worked brilliantly. And they loved the leather jackets!”
“What can I say? Amazing performance, inspired casting, Jumoke was incredible, and the choir and band superb. The moment of crucifixion gave me chills. A true privilege to be there. Thank you and congratulations!”
“You did it, you ground-breaking goddess! Now all the ground is broken and I’m floating back home. It was magnificent.”
“Thank you, Ruth and everyone – it was exhilarating, terrifying (for all the right reasons) and thoroughly enlightening in so many ways. Jumoke was brilliant – as were all the soloists – and it was inspired to cast her as the Evangelist. But then that music is so jazz-like, or more accurately jazz is so Bach-like, and both underwritten by extremes of suffering and joy. And endlessly wondrously inventive. I’m always reminded of Paul Tortelier’s comment about Bach – that Bach is greater than God, as God only promises you paradise whereas Bach actually takes you there!”
“A capacity audience with a wide age range, diversity of cultural background, many of whom didn’t know the work. Involving the audience in the three corals was inspired and really moving.”
“One of the most moving things about last night was hearing 268 people turning the pages of their programmes as they followed the story. Back would have approved, I’m sure!”
“The St John is a very special piece for me but I’ve never been more moved than I was last night. Thank you Cec for your lovely direction and Ruth for your brilliant conducting. It was a beautiful shared experience between the choir, orchestra and audience. I’m still singing the choruses in my head…”
“Huge thanks Ruth and Cec – my guests thought it electrifying and so much more engaging than the usual static traditional approach. And they loved singing along.”
“Must reiterate how much we enjoyed last night. It was wonderful to experience a Bach passion as it was originally performed in the community. Really classy performances too. What a coup securing Jumoke Fashola. And to cap it all, the setting sun lighting up the church, which you might or might not have been aware of.”
“I LOVED it – choir and orchestra superb, not to mention the wonderful Evangelist. I noted all the moving and liked that very much, gave it a sense of urgency and coherence. SO pleased I went.”
“Quite unable to add to so much that has already been said – and will no doubt continue to flow – save to thank you all for such an extraordinary and passionate passion. Wonderful to be part of the performance but also that rapturous audience which made it very special indeed. Congratulations Ruth on a unique vision fulfilled.”
“Thank you Ruth for another inspiring concert – you helped us express the emotional power of this great work.”
Click here for Chorus of Dissent’s next performance
