Qhis evening at 9.20pm Rai 5 offers a night of music with there Passion according to Matthew BWV 244, work by Johann Sebastian Bach of 1727 which sees the participation of the Orchestra and Choir of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome. Riccardo Minasi on the podiumprincipal guest conductor of the Hamburg Ensemble Resonanz and artistic director of the La Scintilla Orchestra of the Zurich Opera, who will lead a group of lyrical talents such as baritone Cody Quattlebaum, tenor James Gilchrist and soloists such as first violin Carlo Maria Parazzoli.
Passion according to Matthew by Bach on Rai 5 for Easter 2026, directed by Riccardo Minasi
The sacredness of Holy Easter 2026 and the great evocative power of music they merge in Passion according to MatthewBWV 244, concert performed on tape at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome by the Accademia di Santa Cecilia. Conducting Bach’s masterpiece, a complex work for soloists, double choir and double orchestra, is the Italian Riccardo Minasi. In the celebrity cast such as the American baritone Cody Quattlebaum, a rising star, and the British tenor James Gilchrist, specialized in oratorio repertoire. With them also important musical components and children’s voices coming from the Academy, Orchestra and Choir of Santa Cecilia.
In line with the Easter precepts, there Passion according to Matthew stages the powerful reflections on the mystery of faiththe pain of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and the redemption of humanity. At the center of the narrative are the last days of the son of Godfrom the anointing in Bethany until his death and subsequent burial. The score and the choirs reflect not only the evangelical testimony but the intimate drama of a divinity who became man.
In 1727 the composer Johann Sebastian Bach resumes chapters 26 and 27 of Gospel of Matthew, that translated by Martin Lutherto make a musical transposition of it using words and verses by the German poet and librettist Picanderhis trusted collaborator. The result is one sacred oratorial compositionvery popular since the 17th century, which although it bears many stylistic features of Bach’s works, he raises his musical quality and intentions to levels he has never achieved before.
Riccardo Minasi directs the “Passion according to Matthew”. (Press official site)
Genesis and plot of Passion according to Matthew by Johann Sebastian Bach
The musical story focuses on the last days of Christ, exposing all of them deep dramatic tension. The story opens with the painful meeting of the high priests, determined to have the Messiah arrested. During the Last Supper, Jesus announces that one of his disciples will betray him. At these words, his followers protest, convinced that there is no one among them capable of doing harm. The only one who knows the truth is Judas.
He, blinded by confusion and human weaknesses, he accepted money to deliver him to those who will try him to lead him to the cross. As expected, Jesus is brought before the assembly assembled by the Jewish college and finally accused of blasphemy. At the same time Peter, for fear of reprisals, denies knowing him three times and then grieve when the rooster crows.
Destiny is fulfilled as written: Judas, overcome with remorse, hangs himself while Pontius Pilate is led by the angry crowd who want the son of God crucified next to Barabbas. After being scourged and left on the cross, Christ dies under a dark, lightning-studded sky.
Bach chooses a narrator, the Evangelist, which ferries the spectator along the impervious paths of history. A real guiding voicewho tells the facts, without any judgement. Jesus, on the other hand, is at the same time a divine and human figurehe suffers as a son abandoned by God and betrayed by men.
Santa Cecilia Academy Orchestra and Choir. (Handle)
Riccardo Minasi and the protagonists of the concert
The conductor and violinist Riccardo Minasi, born in 1978, yes trained at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia. He has held highly prestigious roles such as musical director of the Carlo Felice Opera of Genoa. And again guest conductor of the Resonanz Ensemble of the Hamburg Philharmonic ed he is artistic director of the La Scintilla Orchestra at the Zurich Opera.
In 2016 he replaced Ivor Bolton as director of the Salzburg Mozarteumorchester. This is how he describes it Passion according to Matthew by Bach: «it is one extremely multifaceted creation which, thanks to contrasts, finds a one-of-a-kind communicative force». «A true multi-sensorial reflection on the last events of Christ, from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion».
«These are 3 parallel narrative paths. The first is the story of the Evangelist and the characters such as Judas, Pilate, Peter. Then comes the paraliturgical aspect with the so-called tropes, a meditation on Picander’s libretto. Finally, a return to the liturgy from the Lutheran choirs.” «A great Bachian celebration. Long live Bach and Happy Easter.”
The cast is made up of great music professionals. The role of the Evangelist is entrusted to tenor James Gilchristthe bass Cody Quattlebaum is Jesus. Bass Hyunmo Cho is Judas instead. There is no shortage of Santa’s magnificent children’s choir and full orchestra Ceciliawith instrumental soloists known throughout the world. The two first violins Carlo Maria Parazzoli and Andrea Obisio, the cellist Luigi Piovano, the oboe Fabien Thouand, the flute Andrea Oliva.
