Music for Easter, on air and online
Joyful music-making to mark the festival and lift the spirits, as musicians derive infinite inspiration from the Easter story and from the act of making and enjoying music together
Bach's St John Passion
A very human story of endeavour, doubt and betrayal unfolds in music with words from the Gospel. The Evangelist (Gwilym Bowen) takes the audience on the journey to Calvary, as characters and chorus add their own accounts. Listen out for wonderful solo playing from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Chorus, and top-flight soloists including David Soar (Christ), Ashley Riches (pictured, Pilate), and Elizabeth Watts, William Towers and Nick Pritchard.
Read more ...Handel's Messiah
The Royal Choral Society performs the joyous oratorio virtually, continuing a Good Friday tradition that has been going for 144 years – broken only by the Blitz. With this year’s annual performance at the Royal Albert Hall cancelled, 82 members have formed a virtual choir, singing from their own homes, conducted by Richard Cooke from his garden. Organist Richard Pearce accompanies the choir.
Read more ...Così Fan Tutte
Comedy and sublime music from the Royal Opera House's production of Mozart's late, great opera directed by Jonathan Miller. Two young women are mischievously tricked into swopping partners, but after resisting they find they are both quite interested in their 'new' men... A bonus: costumes to covet by Giorgio Armani.
Read more ...Bach's St Matthew Passion
Good Friday's second immersion in the music of JS Bach, this time as conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. Mark Padmore is the Evangelist who relates the story of the Crucifixion, with soloists including baritone Christian Gerhaher as Christ, choristers from Wells and Winchester Cathedrals, the Berlin Radio Choir and Berliner Philharmonic. This memorable performance was first heard at the Proms in 2014, where it was staged by director Peter Sellars.
Read more ...Carly Paoli's Music for Mercy
Enjoy an evening in the magical surroundings of the Forum in Rome with singer Carly Paoli. Separated for now from her Italian family, soprano Paoli (pictued) is sharing the concert she gave in 2016 with star names including West End doyenne Elaine Paige and tenor Andrea Bocell.
Read more ...James MacMillan's Stabat Mater
Recorded in the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican over Easter 2018 by The Sixteen and Britten Sinfonia under Harry Christophers, the setting of a traditional text by the important contemporary composer, commissioned by the Genesis Foundation. The choral work contemplates the human challenge of coming through suffering and loss, as vividly depicted by searing instrumentation and heart-rending vocal lines. Photo: Adrian Myers
Read more ...Max Richter's Sleep
'I’ve always been interested in sleeping,' says composer Max Richter. 'I have an instinct that this state is where a lot of important things happen.' His eight-hour composition, a lullaby for grown-ups, is designed to lull audiences to sleep, and will be balm for the troubled mind. The 31 movements, with their reference to dreams and the night, are performed by Richter himself with ethereal soprano Grace Davidson (pictured) and instrumentalists. Zzzzz....
Bach's St John Passion
A second chance this weekend to hear Bach's great work for soloists, orchestra and chorus. Conductor Jonathan Peter Kenny and English Touring Opera’s artistic director, James Conway, are encouraging audiences to experience the performance together this Easter Sunday, connecting with one another through music. This dramatic staging comes from ETO's suspended tour.
Read more ...Andrea Bocelli live at Milan Cathedral
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli gives a live solo concert for Easter Sunday at Milan's historic Duomo. There will be no audience present, and he will be accompanied only by the cathedral organist, Emanuele Vianelli, playing one of world’s largest pipe organs. Music specially arranged for solo voice and organ for the occasion, will include the well-loved Ave Maria setting by Bach/Gounod and Mascagni’s Sancta Maria – from Cavelleria Rusticana, the famous Easter Hymn.
Read more ...The Passion
Intensely moving and powerful version of Bach's St Matthew Passion as performed by The Sixteen and Streetwise Opera, directed by Penny Woolcock. The final chorus has new music by Sir James MacMillan (pictured) with lyrics written by participants in the workshops of Streetwise Opera, whose members are affected by homelessness. Filmed live in Manchester, this story of rejection has added relevance.
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