In March 2019, Resonance Works presents one of the greatest oratorios of all time, Bach’s St. John Passion.  Written in 1724 during his first year in Leipzig, Bach’s setting of scripture and poetry is a deeply human and intensely dramatic musical telling of the betrayal, suffering, and death of Christ.  Soloists portray the characters of Jesus, Peter, and Pilate, while the chorus portrays the angry mob, eager for bloodshed. Arias provide moments of reflection on the drama and universal human themes including friendship and sacrifice, loyalty and betrayal, cruelty and compassion.

Noted interpreter of Bach, tenor Joseph Gaines returns to Pittsburgh and to Resonance Works as the Evangelist, ten years after first performing this masterwork with conductor Maria Sensi Sellner. Returning artists (and Pennsylvania natives) Ivan Plazacic and Joshua Jeremiah portray Jesus and Pilate  A distinguished cast of aria soloists including Katy Williams, Thespina Christulides, Corrie Stallings, Christina English, George Milosh, William Ottow, and Christopher Scott also serve as the core of the small chamber chorus, creating a powerful and uniquely intimate performance experience of this masterwork.