St Matthew Passion by J.S. Bach at Hereford Cathedral

A Profound Musical Experience for Holy Week

Join us at Hereford Cathedral on Tuesday 15 April at 7:00 pm for a moving performance of J.S. Bach’s St Matthew Passion, presented as part of the Cathedral’s Holy Week worship. This sacred masterpiece, composed in 1727, is a dramatic and deeply emotional retelling of the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, based on the Gospel of St Matthew.

Performed in the Majestic Cathedral Nave

Set in the awe-inspiring surroundings of Hereford Cathedral’s Nave, this performance promises to be both spiritually uplifting and musically unforgettable. The Hereford Cathedral Choir will bring to life the powerful narrative of Christ’s arrest, trial, and crucifixion in a setting that enhances the drama and beauty of Bach’s score.

A World-Class Cast and Orchestra

Joining the Cathedral Choir are Marches Baroque, a renowned period-instrument orchestra, and a distinguished lineup of soloists who are specialists in the interpretation of Baroque sacred music. The cast includes:

Ruairi Bowen – Evangelist
Gareth Brynmoor John – Christus
Rebecca Hardwick – Soprano
Martha McLorinan – Mezzo-soprano
David de Winter – Tenor
Alex Ashworth – Bass
Each artist brings a depth of experience and emotion to the performance, ensuring a deeply resonant and historically informed interpretation of Bach’s epic work.

A Cherished Holy Week Tradition

The performance of one of Bach’s Passions has become a beloved tradition at Hereford Cathedral. According to Geraint Bowen, Director of Music, “It is always exciting to prepare Bach’s Passions with our young choristers and to observe the effect which this extraordinary music has on them. Because of the disruption caused by Covid, we have been unable to perform this work since 2019, and we look forward to welcoming members of the audience from near and far for this special performance.”

Ticket Information

Tickets for the performance are now available:

£25 – Front Nave
£18 – Rear Nave
£10 – For individuals aged 25 and under (Rear Nave only)

You can purchase tickets online HERE

or in person from the Cathedral Shop.

You can also call the shop at 01432 374 210 to book.

With Thanks to Our Supporters
This concert is generously supported by the W A Cadbury Charitable Trust and the Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust.