On Saturday 23 March, Chorus of Dissent and the Elastic Band took Bach’s stirring St John Passion to new heights. On the 300th anniversary of its first performance and with an English libretto, they were joined for this very special performance by soloists Jumoké Fashola, Thomas Nießer, Clara Sandbars, Benedict Randall Shaw and our very own Will Petty. Their moving and semi-staged depiction of the crucifixion had the capacity audience transfixed; from the leather jacket wearing mob hounding Jesus, and Simon Peter’s denial through to the scarf laying redemption.
Our very special guest for this sold out performance was the one and only Jumoké Fashola; singer, actress and broadcaster, whose beautiful voice tied the threads of the story together in the part of The Evangelist. After the concert she tweeted
‘Thank you to the fab Dissenters for having me as their Evangelist. What a chorus and bravo to the soloists … all under the baton of the indefatigable Ruth Whitehead’
The piece was conducted and directed by Ruth Whitehead, and the musical performances were equally matched by Cec Darker’s imaginative stage directions that embraced both sides of this defining episode in Christian history and Bach’s vision of the Passion.
We had some lovely comments, and lots of praise for both Ruth, the soloists, the Elastic Band and the choir after the concert. Here are just a few …
‘It was such a privilege to be part of today’s performance. I’d barely listened to the St John Passion before and now I’m an addict! And to perform it with so many talented people was particularly special. Thank you Ruth for making it happen and to all the performers for being so brilliant. It was FANTASTIC’
‘I could never have imagined that one day I would sing in a performance of this amazing piece. I am thrilled to have done it, but it would not have been possible without the encouragement of Ruth and the environment of this wonderful choir.’
‘It’s a privilege to be surrounded by the generosity of spirit which always surrounds our performances and especially so for this one’
‘Friends and family really loved the evening, thanks to everybody for creating such a special performance – and especially to Ruth for believing (against the odds at one point!) that we could do it’
‘Warmly generous professional singers who were delighted to become Dissenters for a day. The Elastic Band working so hard and (keyboard player) Thomas Ang held the recital in the palm of his hand. And you, the utterly wonderful Chorus of Dissent, I’m so privileged to know you’
Chorus of Dissent are now looking ahead to their first foray into Eastern Europe with a tour of Hungary in May/June, and are already planning for their next concert here in St Matthias on October 5th 2024.