Prom 66 - 6.09.14: JSB - St. Matthew Passion, Berlin PO / Rattle

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Saturday, 6 September
7.00 p.m. – c. 10.45 p.m.
Royal Albert Hall

The Berlin Philharmonic and Simon Rattle live at the BBC Proms in an innovative staging of Bach's St Matthew Passion, with soloists including Mark Padmore and Christian Gerhaher.

J. S. BACH: St Matthew Passion (staging by Peter Sellars; sung in German)

Evangelist ..... Mark Padmore (tenor)
Christus ..... Christian Gerhaher (baritone)
Camilla Tilling (soprano)
Magdalena Kozená (mezzo-soprano)
Topi Lehtipuu (tenor)
Eric Owens (bass-baritone)
Choristers from Wells and Winchester Cathedrals
Berlin Radio Choir
Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle (conductor)

In the second of their two Proms this season, Sir Simon Rattle conducts his Berlin Philharmonic in Peter Sellars's innovative staging of Bach's St Matthew Passion. While the dramatic St John Passion (heard earlier this season) focusses on the action, the St Matthew is altogether more contemplative - confronting suffering and torture as well as salvation and redemption in some of Bach's most moving music.

A starry line-up of soloists is led by Mark Padmore's Evangelist and German baritone Christian Gerhaher singing the words of Christ.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

i have a good feeling about this.

[doversoul1]

Peter Sellars's innovative staging of Bach's St Matthew Passion.

I wonder what Gustav Leonhardt would have said…..

[Prommer]

i have a good feeling about this.

I read that some of those who participated in this run of performances in Berlin found it a 'life-changing' experience or something like it. One to look forward to, for sure. My birthday present to myself!

[Richard Tarleton]

Lutenist Linda Sayce will be playing. She tells the Lute Society she is not sure how audible the lute will be but that she will do her best

[kernelbogey]

I didn't know much about this 'staging' - but this short youtube gives a flavour.

There's also a longish interview with Sellars here. (I haven't yet watched it.)

This would seem to have been an obvious Prom to record for television - but perhaps the BPO want it just for their site...?

[amateur51]

Peter Sellars's innovative staging of Bach's St Matthew Passion.

I wonder what Gustav Leonhardt would have said…..

Now we'll never know

[Prommer]

I didn't know much about this 'staging' - but this short youtube gives a flavour.

There's also a longish interview with Sellars here. (I haven't yet watched it.)

This would seem to have been an obvious Prom to record for television - but perhaps the BPO want it just for their site...?

Fascinating viewing and very good preparation for tonight, which I am going to. The Biggie!

[Zucchini]

Peter Sellars' staging of Adams' oratorio, El Nino was wonderful. He's nobody's fool.

[Pianorak]

I was deeply moved by the Jonathan Miller "production" of the St Matthew Passion shown on television a few years ago - and will be interested to see how tonight's performance shapes up. Really looking forward to it.

[Mary Chambers]

I know it's been said already, but why on earth isn't this on television? I'd have loved to see it.

[Cockney Sparrow]

I know it's been said already, but why on earth isn't this on television? I'd have loved to see it.

My ticket says there will be TV cameras present - so perhaps there is some hope of a future broadcast? (even though I think broadcasts have been listed (but no time to check that - leaving soon for London....)

[Prommer]

My ticket says this too, but no sign of this in the brochure or online. However, it also says that there will be a late night Prom tonight afterwards?! Given the SMP finishes at 10.45, that would be quite a late one.

But of course there is no such thing… So: who knows?

[Nick Armstrong]

My ticket says this too, but no sign of this in the brochure or online. However, it also says that there will be a late night Prom tonight afterwards?! Given the SMP finishes at 10.45, that would be quite a late one.

But of course there is no such thing… So: who knows?

Look forward to an eyewitness report on the camera status. Agreed it's a perfect one for telly but maybe there are rights issues. Perhaps any cameras will be for what was termed brilliantly on another thread the BPO's "digital fandangle" !

[Simon B]

My ticket for last night had "TV Cameras Present" on it but, well, they weren't. I'm fairly sure this wasn't the only such instance this year.

Cost cutting (to which I also attribute all those 18:30 starts this year)? The TV people changing their minds about what they can be bothered to broadcast?