Bach’s St. Matthew Passion – April 13-14, 2022 LiveEvents April 7, 2022 1205 Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) presents Bach’s St. Matthew Passion In 18th-century Protestant Germany, it was customary to perform a Passion on both Palm Sunday and Good Friday. Bach composed his passions in a liturgical style, mixing sacred texts with poetry in the manner of a madrigal. The St. Matthew Passion is distinctive in being scored for double chorus; this monumental work abounding in solemnity, spirituality and magnificence is led by the masterful hand of conductor Paul McCreesh. Artists Orchestre symphonique de Montréal Paul McCreesh, conductor Marie-Sophie Pollak, soprano Caitlin Hulcup, mezzo-soprano Julian Prégardien, tenor Werner Güra, tenor Philippe Sly, bass Matthew Brook, bass Geoffroy Salvas, bass OSM Chorus The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal Chorus was established in the 1980s at the request of Charles Dutoit. Composed of 50 professional singers and 80 to 100 volunteer singers, the Chorus has joined forces with the OSM for hundreds of performances of masterworks from the repertoire. Jean-Sébastien Vallée, chorusmaster Canadian-American conductor Jean-Sébastien Vallée is an internationally recognized conductor, scholar, and pedagogue. Maestro Vallée is Artistic Director of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Associate Professor of Music, Director of Choral Studies, and Coordinator of the Ensembles & Conducting Area at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University. Moreover, Jean-Sébastien will conclude his tenure as Music Director of the Ottawa Choral Society with the 2021-22 season. Prior to his return to Canada, Jean-Sébastien served as Director of Choral Studies at California State University, Los Angeles and was on the choral faculty of the University of Redlands. Upcoming activities include concerts at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest and a tour with the National Youth Choir of Canada in 2022. Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal Andrew Gray, choral director Following his arrival in Montreal in 2010, Andrew Gray rapidly established himself in the region’s music scene as a choral director, choir trainer and arranger. He is presently musical and artistic director of Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, artistic director of the Montreal Choral Institute, conductor of its in-house chamber choir Voces Boreales, and the founder and director of the SingMontréalChante choral education project. Program J. S. Bach, St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 (131 min.) Maison Symphonique Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 7:30pm Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 7:30pm To purchase your tickets visit: www.placedesarts.com