Chester Cathedral Choir is to perform J S Bach's masterpiece the St John Passion on Saturday, March 19 at 7.30pm.

Originally written for Good Friday in 1724, the Passion is a masterpiece of technical precision and musical beauty which recounts the events leading to the crucifixion of Christ.

Featuring the choir of Chester Cathedral, conducted by director of music Philip Rushforth, the performance will include contributions from world-class soloists Alison Rose (soprano), Marta Fontanals-Simmons (mezzo-soprano, Nick Pritchard (evangelist), Oliver Hunt (Christus) and Marcus Farnsworth (Pilate).

David Lewis will lead the 18th Century Sinfonia, an orchestra playing on authentic baroque instruments.

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Philip Rushforth said: "Bach's passion is a perfect balance of the theatrical with the devotional and whilst it delivers the intense sorrow of the Good Friday story it anticipates the resurrection, with many a dramatic twist and turn it ultimately provides optimism and hope. In my opinion, this is some of the greatest music ever written."

Bach used chapters 18 and 19 of the Gospel of John in the Lutheran Bible and intended the congregation to participate in hymn-like chorales within the solo sections.

Tickets to Chester Cathedral's St John Passion are on sale now priced at £15, £12.50 and £8 and are available from the box office 01244 500959 or www.chestercathedral.com.