St. Matthew Passion
Part of the 2009 Spring Season
Apr 17, 18, 21, 22, 24 & 25 at 7:30pm
Music by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conducted by Paul Goodwin
Directed by Jonathan Miller
"Mr. Miller’s staging of the 'St. Matthew' proved a revelation."
— The New York Times
Renowned for his highly original takes on operatic works, Jonathan Miller draws out the full magnificence and drama of Bach’s final and most revered Passion. Sung in English and pared down to its glorious essentials, his singers—casually dressed—are placed with the musicians in the round, granting the music an undeniable immediacy.
In an unprecedented occurrence, BAM brings back this incomparable production which has delighted audiences in its previous sold-out runs. With a cast comprising many returning members, Miller again strips away the traditional performance conventions of this sacred work, allowing us to confront the emotion and humanity at the heart of this Passion.
BAM Harvey Theater
Running time: 170min with intermission
Subscription tickets: $24, 44, 64, 72
(Full price: $30, 55, 80, 90)
Lighting design by R. Michael Blanco
English singing translation by Robert Shaw
Originally produced by Ron Gonsalves
Evangelist—Rufus Müller
Jesus—Curtis Streetman
Mezzo-soprano—Phyllis Pancella
Soprano—Suzie LeBlanc
Countertenor—Daniel Taylor
Tenor—Nils Brown
Baritone—Stephen Varcoe
NPR's Guided Tour through St. Matthew Passion
"Johann Sebastian Bach wrote his St. Matthew Passion for a single purpose—to present the biblical passion story, in music, at Good Friday vesper services." More
BBC article on Jonathan Miller
"Jonathan Miller, who has been knighted, has carved out a career as a satirist, theatre and opera director, medical consultant, sculptor and writer." More
PBS biography of Johann Sebastian Bach
"He was the youngest son of Johann Ambrosius Bach, a town musician, from whom he probably learnt the violin and the rudiments of musical theory." More
BBC Radio 4 Desert Island Discs article on Jonathan Miller
From Surfin' U.S.A. to Ravi Shankar—the BBC looks at what Jonathan Miller can't live without. More
Review of Il matrimonio segreto
Jonathan Miller was last at BAM with this light-footed production of Cimarosa's comic opera masterpiece. More
Review of St. Matthew Passion (2001)
A glowing New York Times review of Miller's 2001 BAM performance of the St. Matthew Passion. More
Interview: Jonathan Miller (PDF)
Joseph Melillo interviews Jonathan Miller, director of St. Matthew Passion. More