Our building is temporarily closed, due to UK Government advice on Coronavirus/Covid-19. Find out more

Handel’s Brockes Passion

Academy of Ancient Music

,Barbican Hall
Group of people surrounding a cross

On the 300th anniversary of its premiere AAM and Richard Egarr realise a long-held ambition to perform Handel’s mighty Passion setting, one of rare humanity and beauty.

Composed while the young Handel was at the peak of his operatic success in London, his Brockes Passion is a sacred opera by another name, its emotions and events intricate and richly painted. Following the Passion story from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion, Barthold Heinrich Brockes’ text was set by numerous composers including Telemann and Fasch, but it is Handel’s treatment which has stood the test of time, inviting its listeners into the heart of the Easter story.

A vivid mixture of chorales, choruses and emotive recitatives is enough to place the work alongside Handel’s finest, but it’s the astonishingly varied sequence of arias – over 40 of them – that sets the Brockes Passion apart. Egarr has assembled a terrific cast to give what promises to be an emotionally charged performance on Good Friday.

Tagged with: Classical music Academy of Ancient Music 2018–19 Drama of the Baroque More...

Sung in German with English surtitles.

This performance will end at approximately 6pm, including a 20 minute interval.

Programme

Handel Brockes Passion

Performers

Academy of Ancient Music
Richard Egarr director & harpsichord
Robert Murray Evangelist
Cody Quattlebaum Christus
Tim Mead countertenor
Choir of AAM

Pre–concert talk, 2pm

Free to ticket holders

Discover

photo of a man in a suit singing

Watch: Academy of Ancient Music - Handel's Brockes Passion

In this aria and its previous recitative Judas expresses his deep regret at having condemned Jesus to death and begs to be punished for his crimes.

architecture detail of the barbican hall

Composer Focus – Episode 1: George Frideric Handel with Iestyn Davies

Ed Seckerson is joined by countertenor Iestyn Davies to discuss George Frideric Handel, the German-born composer whose prolific portfolio of operas and hits such as the Water Music, and Messiah, won the hearts of the British public.

photo of handel

Listen: Barbican Essentials - Handel

Our selection of the best of Handel's music.

You might also like...

Barbican Hall