Manchester Cathedral Choir, conducted by Christopher Stokes, celebrate the 300th anniversary of Bach's St Matthew Passion, performed on period instruments.
Manchester Cathedral Choir are performing Bach's St Matthew Passion (BWV 244) at Manchester Cathedral on Friday 26 March 2027. It's a big one: the concert marks the 300th anniversary of the work's premiere, which took place on Good Friday at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig in 1727. Christopher Stokes conducts, and the whole thing is part of Manchester Baroque's 2026-27 season.
If you're not familiar with it, the St Matthew Passion is a massive piece. It's written for two orchestras, two choirs and soloists, and it follows the biblical story of the final days of Jesus. The scale of it gives the music a striking, monumental impact, but there's a softer side to it too — the music is also tender, emotive and exquisite, and it's the kind of thing that works for believers and non-believers alike.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Manchester and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
One detail that sets this apart is that it's performed on period instruments, so you'll hear the sounds Bach would have known rather than the modern versions. It's a long work, and the afternoon is split into two halves: it starts at 16:30, breaks at 17:45, then restarts at 19:30 and finishes around 21:15. If you're planning to stay for the whole thing, you'll want to keep that gap in mind.
Date
Friday, 26 March 2027
16:30
Location
Manchester CathedralPrice
Paid
Recommended Age
+14 years
Useful Links
