The KSO is cancelling its April 3 “St. Matthew Passion” concert in the interest of the well-being of our musicians, audience, and the community. While we’re sad to miss an opportunity to bring this powerful music to Kalamazoo, we know this is the best decision for everyone. This also supports the State of Michigan’s guidance to cancel all events of 250 people or more. 

ABOUT YOUR TICKETS
We want to do everything we can to answer your questions about tickets. If you would like, your ticket purchase can be turned into a tax-deductible donation. Coronavirus-related cancellations are causing musicians and other freelance artists to face increased financial vulnerability. The KSO is committed to our musicians and will still compensate them for this cancelled performance. Your donation helps support this effort.

• Donate your tickets and receive a tax deduction for the total ticket value. 
• Request an exchange credit for a future performance through our next season without an exchange fee.
• Receive a refund for the value of the ticket.

For help with your tickets, please email us at info@kalamazoosymphony.com, or call our office at 269-349-7759. We will respond as quickly as possible. We expect a larger-than-normal call volume and will respond to your messages in the order received.

Our most current updates about our COVID-19 actions are available at our coronavirus information page: https://www.kalamazoosymphony.com/about-us/coronavirus-information.

Bringing Bach's great spiritual vision of the Passion story to life.

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote St. Matthew Passion to present the Passion story in music at Good Friday vesper services. Through the orchestra and singers, Passion retells the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, from the last supper, to the arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus. This monumental work is moving and intimate, deeply sorrowful and powerful.

Featuring a double orchestra and double chorus, we partner with the WMU Choirs, the Kalamazoo Children’s Chorus, and several guest soloists for this concert. Accompanied by images from artists Peter Paul Rubens and Angelino Medoro, the KSO will retell the epic tale of the passion of Christ in dramatic fashion in our Lenten season production.

See below for the list of performers and the program details!

No refunds are available for returned tickets.

ACCESSIBILITY: We strive to make all venues where the KSO offers concerts fully accessible to all. Additionally, sensory friendly accommodations such as headphones, sunglasses, earplugs, and quiet fidget objects are made available for free at all concerts for children and adults. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact the KSO office at 269-349-7759.

Featured Artists

Please read more about the artists who were involved in the "St. Matthew Passion" production and put in extensive time to develop a memorable experience that we all wish we could share with you! We included links to the artists' pages, when available. 

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra

Julian Kuerti, conductor
WMU Choirs, Kim Adams, director of choral activities
WMU Choirs, Austin McWilliams, chorusmaster
WMU Choirs, Victoria Jackson, assistant chorusmaster
Kalamazoo Children’s Chorus, Fred Sang, director
Julia Wedman, guest concertmaster
Anna Steinhoff, viola da gamba
Derek Chester, Evangelista (Evangelist)
Will Liverman, Jesus

Quartet:
Lucy Fitz Gibbon, soprano
Krisztina Szabó, mezzo-soprano
Jonas Boudris, tenor
Simon Barrad, baritone

Additional Guest Artists
Michael Montgomery, Judas
Dayne Newberry, Petrus (Peter)
Austin McWilliams, Testis I (Witness)
Matthew Hazel, Testis II (Witness)
Joel Snyder*, Pontifex (High Priest)
Onalee Melton, Ancilla I (Woman)
Brooke Leinbaugh, Ancilla II (Woman)
Joel Snyder, Pontifex I (Priest) *same as Pontifex
Sam Macy, Pontifex II (Priest)
Carl Ratner, Pilatus (Pontius Pilate)
Victoria Jackson, Uxor Pilati (Pilate's Wife)

Program

Our program appears below to give you a taste of the music ahead!

— Wiser Financial Prelude talk | 6:30 p.m. | Auditorium —

BACH (1685 – 1750): Matthäuspassion (St. Matthew Passion), BWV 244
                Part I (approximately 66 minutes)

— Intermission —

                Part II (approximately 66 minutes)

— AfterWORDS discussion with conductor and guests | immediately following the concert | Grand Tier Mezzanine —

Sponsors