Handel: Brockes-Passion

We are set to hear a significant early work by George Frideric Handel, composed while he was establishing his reputation in London but setting a German text. The Brockes-Passion is distinct from his more famous English oratorios, focusing on a deeply personal and often graphic reflection on the narrative of the crucifixion. You will hear a series of short, highly expressive arias and chorales that prioritise emotional immediacy over long-form structural development. Listen for how Handel uses the orchestra to paint vivid, sometimes startling musical pictures of the physical and psychological suffering described in the libretto. The evening is shaped by the alternation between the narrative voice and the soloists who represent specific characters or meditative onlookers. The work offers a fascinating bridge between the Lutheran traditions of Handel’s youth and the more dramatic, operatic style he was refining in the early eighteenth century. It provides a rare opportunity to hear a master of the stage turning his hand to a rigorous religious form with typical melodic flair.

The Academy of Ancient Music is well known for their dedication to period-instrument performance, often based in London and Cambridge. They are joined by conductor Laurence Cummings, a specialist in the baroque repertoire who frequently leads large-scale vocal works. The vocal parts are shared between six soloists: Elizabeth Watts, Claire Lees, Jake Ingbar, Christopher Willoughby, Stuart Jackson, and Edward Grint. This group of singers is experienced in the particular demands of baroque ornamentation and the intimate, clear delivery required for this style of early eighteenth-century sacred music.

This performance takes place at the Barbican Hall in London. The work is a lengthy and substantial choral piece, so you should expect a full evening in the concert hall rather than a short programme. Because this is a German-language passion setting, it is particularly suited to those who enjoy structured, historical sacred music. The venue does not enforce a specific dress code, and most audience members opt for smart-casual attire. You should check the venue displays upon arrival for the exact running time and the timing of the interval.