St Matthew Passion

Thank you Opera Queensland for St. Matthew’s Passion which I attended last pm. It really was an outstanding “performance”. World class. The use of the stage and the body language of the performers, for the text and music – Lindy Hume you are to be commended, as are all of the artists. It was devotional and meditational and that could not have happened without you reflecting on the text. In staging this, it shows that Opera Queensland has a ritual function through music in a society which grapples with mental health problems and suffering - how do we integrate suffering into our lives and our world view. The image of the “The Pietà” when what’s his name held the body of Christ – so many powerful images….Be bold in all that you do

This performance easily exceeded expectations, a joy to behold!

This is not your standard mass-choir St Matthew Passion. Firstly it consists of a very small number of Opera Queensland choristers whose voices all stand out individually as they sing the choruses wandering around the Concert Hall stage in daywear. The Camerata of St John’s is in the middle of the stage with chorus and soloists variously singing in front, behind and surrounding them. The soloists, all of them good, although some I liked better than others used the entire stage, and even the back of the balcony to perform the story. This moved the Passion from a static piece where you can be happy to just let the music wash over you, to one where you didn’t stop following the story. Unfortunately though apart from a few of the male soloists, the German diction was so bad that apart from the occasional “ich” and “isch” ending on words, it could have been sung in Latin or Hebrew. It seems the OQ chorus has been divided this year – those who can memorise music are in Otello later this year, those who probably can’t memorise music are in St Matt. Such a shame to kill the idea of staging this wonderful Bach Passion by having most of the chorus clutching at their scores as they move around the stage. Apart from a few very ‘interesting’ antiphonal moments, the balance between the Camerata of St John’s and the singers was perfect. Camerata as usual were sounding lovely, although I’m still scratching my head as to why the funny little mobile organ was used when the beautiful pipe organ was standing dejected at the back of the stage. Also, while I realise traditional instruments go out of tune quickly, re-tuning the viola da gamba in the middle of the second half through me so out of the music and story that it took me the next 15 minutes to get back into it again. I mean, honestly, which opera or symphony have you ever heard interrupted for a quick tune-up?! But as for throwing me out of the moment, I couldn’t believe how many weak-bladdered people must have been sitting in the balcony on opening night. During the first half every 5 minutes someone’s chair was banging up and the door slapping closed as someone got up to leave or come back into the theatre. Grrrr. However, if you like the standard mass-choir version, or are a fan of early music or Bach or have never heard a Passion before, then you shouldn’t miss experiencing this engaging St Matthew Passion on its very limited run of 3 performances.