Saved events

The Golden Anniversary: Bach's St Matthew Passion

Academy of Ancient Music

Close up image of a crown of thorns

On Good Friday, AAM returns to a masterpiece that never grows old: Bach’s St Matthew Passion, stripped back to its essentials and performed with absolute commitment.

Filled with wonder and sorrow, a survivor tells his tale. As other voices tell their stories, the chorus becomes an accusing crowd, and an ancient tragedy comes startlingly alive. This is Bach’s St Matthew Passion, in an intimate and powerful performance from Academy of Ancient Music and a consort cast of acclaimed soloists.

The St Matthew Passion has become a Good Friday tradition, but this year AAM gets back to the music’s roots, using a chamber-scaled orchestra that Bach himself might have recognised and solo singers who step out of the ensemble to share their testimony. Performed like this, the emotion feels even more intense, and as ever, no religious belief is required: just a readiness to experience one of western music’s most beautiful – and transforming – masterpieces.

This performance will finish at approximately 6pm, including a 20-minute interval

Produced by Academy of Ancient Music

£10

Aged 14–25? Join Young Barbican for free.

Subject to availability

Wheelchair spaces and free companion seats may now be booked online. 

Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.

Booking a wheelchair space: Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the click the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected. 

Booking essential companion tickets: Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket. 

Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats: Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.

20% discount for groups of 10+. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.

Subject to availability.

*Excludes £4 booking fee

Pre-concert talk

2pm, Fountain Room

Free

Hall