Towards the end of 2011 I mentioned the lack of HIP performances of Christmas Music locally. Happily, this Easter will see a landmark performance of Graun’s oratorio “Der Tod Jesu”, presented by the Brisbane Chamber Choir and the Badinerie Players, om April 6th, 7pm, St John’s Cathedral. Let’s hope that this project leads to many more in a similar vein.
First performed in Berlin on 26 March 1755, German Baroque composer Carl Heinrich Graun’s iconic Passion oratorio was once one of the two or three most significant and most performed sacred music works in Europe. This will be its first full performance in Australia, although it was given with organ only in Melbourne in 1893. Using the best artists available and performed in a historically informed style, this premiere will convey the vibrancy and excitement of this great work to the audience.
For further details please see the Badinerie Players website