Pressemitteilungen des Melbourne Symphonie Orchestras und der Lufthansa
Konzerttermine (15., 19., 20., 21 März) und Fussballturnier (22. März)

On their first visit to Australia, the Leipzig Thomanerchor’s performances of St John Passion will be conducted by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Oleg Caetani.

These performances at the Melbourne Recital Centre and in Geelong mark the first time anyone other than the Choir’s Thomaskantor has conducted Bach’s St John Passion and are a rare privilege indeed for Caetani and the MSO, given the Choir’s history dates back nearly 800 years. Famed the world over their performances of Bach’s music, the Thomanerchor comprises boys aged seven to 18. The members of the choir are all boarders at the Leipzig Thomasschule, the school connected with St Thomas's Church. Georg Christoph Biller, their current Thomaskantor or Music Director is the 16th kantor since JS Bach himself held the position from 1723 for 27 years.

Bach originally created St. John Passion for his first Holy Week in Leipzig. Conceived on a grand scale, it has gone on to become one of the defining musical versions of the Passion narrative. Oleg Caetani is joined by an outstanding cast of international soloists including Timothy Robinson (Evangelist), Stephan Loges (Christ), Matthew Brook (Pilate) Rachelle Durkin, Renée Martin and James Egglestone.

Under Caetani’s baton, the Choir’s second performance on the 21 March also coincides with the 324th anniversary of Bach’s birthday. Normally the Choir gathers around the Bach monument in Leipzig in celebration, so it’s with great pleasure the MSO celebrates this influential composer’s birth with the Choir that’s synonymous with his name.

In addition to their MSO appearances, the Thomanerchor and its Music Director, Georg Christoph Biller present an a capella concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Sunday 15 March at 3pm.

ST JOHN PASSION
Thursday 19 March at 8pm
Saturday 21 March, 6.30pm
Melbourne Recital Centre, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
Bookings: Phone Ticketmaster on 1300 136 166 or visit mso.com.au
Friday 20 March at 8pm
Deakin University, Costa Hall, Geelong
Bookings: 5225 1200
Oleg Caetani conductor
Timothy Robinson Evangelist
Stephan Loges Christ
Matthew Brook Pilate/baritone
Rachelle Durkin soprano
Renée Martin mezzo-soprano
James Egglestone tenor
Thomanerchor Leipzig
Georg Christoph Biller Thomaskantor
BACH St. John Passion

Melbourne
Tickets: +61 3 96993333 (ab 16. Februar)

Geelong
Tickets: +61 3 52251233

Die Reise des Chors wird vom Goethe-Institut unterstützt.

Fussballturnier

Die Deutsche Lufthansa AG heisst den Thomanerchor Leipzig herzlich willkommen in Australien und lädt ein zu einem Fussballturnier der besonderen Art:

Neben Konzerten in Sydney und Melbourne wird der beruehmte Jungenchor am 22. März 2009 im Rahmen eines sportlichen Volksfestes gegen den lokalen Jugendverein des FC Alemannia Richmond antreten.

Der Anpfiff erfolgt um 14 Uhr auf dem Gelaende des Kevin Bartlett Sporting Complex durch Generalkonsulin Dr. Anne-Marie Schleich.

Fuer Unterhaltung, Speis und Trank ist gesorgt – der Eintritt ist frei.

Wegbeschreibung zum Event:
FR Smith Drive (via Yarra Blvd), Richmond VIC 3121 (MEL 45A12)
Oeffentliche Transportmittel von Flinders St Station: Tram Nr. 70 / Stop: Botanica (36)