Bach Festival & St. Matthew Passion

The annual Bach Festival will feature authentic Baroque recitals by Musica Angelica musicians, in addition to a performance of the momentous St. Matthew Passion, featuring international soloists and leading Bach specialist, conductor and Music Director, Martin Haselböck.

March 23, 2024

AN AFTERNOON WITH BACH

The music of Johann Sebastian Bach has been celebrated at Los Angeles' First Congregational Church for the past 90 years, with varied annual programs of works both sacred and secular resonating throughout its neo-gothic architecture. This season's Bach Festival offerings, on Saturday March 23, 2024, include cantatas, motets, concertos, and organ music, featuring virtuoso local and international artists. A day of compelling and scintillating music by one of the world’s greatest composers will both inform and entertain listeners.

4:00-4:10 PM Festival Greetings and Introduction

4:15-4:45 PM Motet Program

5:00-5:30 PM Cantata Program

6-7 PM Organ Recital

March 24, 2024

ST. MATTHEW PASSION

The exceptional Bach Festival is followed by a presentation that is now firmly established as a Southern California tradition; Bach’s magnificent sacred oratorio St. Matthew Passion on Sunday March 24, 2024. St. Matthew Passion is presented annually in the hallowed sanctuary of First Congregational Church and features some of the finest musical talent ever assembled to present the remarkable story of Christ’s crucifixion. The Colburn Foundation has enabled Musica Angelica to bring this world class performance to Southern California audiences for many years and this season’s St. Matthew Passion will continue that tradition. Please plan to join us for a performance that must be seen and heard in person to fully experience the emotional power of this stunning masterpiece.

10:30 AM Organ Prelude with Dr. Christoph Bull

11 AM Sunday Service directed by David Harris with Musica Angelica

3:00 PM St. Matthew Passion Performance