We kicked off our 40th Anniverary Year with a very special performance of the St John Passion by JS Bach at Wakefield Cathedral. 

The choir were accompanied by Baroque in the North, a Manchester-based performing arts charity specialising in music from the 16th to 18th centuries, played on period instruments.  We were also joined by four fabulous guest soloists: Chris Why (Evangelist/Tenor Arias), Damian O'Keeffe (Christus/Bass Arias), Molly Cochrane (Soprano Arias), Julianne Coates (Alto Arias).  Organist Alana Brook also performed preludes by Bach and Buxtehude to open each half.

Some feedback from audience members:

"We were treated to a superb performance of J.S.Bach's 'St. John's Passion.

St. Peter's Concert, under the direction of their Musical Director, James Bowstead, chose Wakefield Cathedral as the venue to begin their 40th Year.
The quality of presentation of this magnificent work was astounding. Supported by the wonderful playing of period instruments by 'Baroque in the North', led by Amanda Babington, the evening was an absolute triumph.
The tenor, Chris Why, as 'Evangelist' sang his heart out. He not only sang with conviction but told the story to an enchanted audience. We knew exactly what was happening and we were helped in this by having the words in both German and English.
It was very, very moving to hear 'Es ist vollbracht!'
Bach's amazingly complex writing of the 'Choral' was sung beautifully by a choir at the pinnacle of their development. The blend was perfect!"

"It was fabulous. You really did it justice. I was so overcome with emotion at the end that I couldn't applaud."

"An amazing concert, beautifully presented and sung. Excellent diction, easy to follow the German text."

"It was the best concert you have done... All round it was a superlative performance and drew us, the audience, into the production, probably just as Bach had intended.  I do not think you could attend a better production of the St John Passion. If you like Bach and didn't attend then you missed a treat.

I'm afraid I don't have any suggestions for improvement, it was too good."

"'That was absolutely beautiful, I love to sing and would give anything to be able to sing like that!"

"Completely bowled over."   "Just beautiful."  "Utterly mesmerising.  Very inspirational."