01.04.2023

JULIAN PRÉGARDIEN as Evangelist in Bach's St. Matthew and St. John Passion

For Julian Prégardien, one of the most sought-after interpreters of Bach's Evangelists, the Passion season is about to begin.

After his celebrated debut as Don Ottavio at the Mozartwoche Salzburg and numerous recitals at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées and HET Concertgebouw, among others, he already performed Bach's St. Matthew Passion with the Ensemble Gli Angeli under Stephan MacLeod in Geneva and Bulle last week.
The Swiss newspaper "La Liberté" reported: "Among the outstanding artistic personalities who contributed to the success of this masterful concert was Julian Prégardien as the Evangelist. His reputation is commensurate with his deeds. Narrated by him, the Gospel becomes a thrilling thriller. The betrayal of Judah, the denial of Peter, the amazement of Pilate and the deeds of Jesus are gripping, rich in contrast and touching. There is not a syllable of the biblical text that does not receive a special aesthetic intention from him."

At the beginning of April, he can be heard in two concerts with the Vienna Philharmonic and the Arnold Schoenberg Choir under the baton of Franz Welser-Möst, again with the St Matthew Passion. This will be followed by two performances of Bach's St John Passion at the Gewandhaus Leipzig conducted by Thomaskantor Andreas Reize.

On 1 March 2023, the CD recording of the St Matthew Passion with Julian Prégardien as the Evangelist and the Ensemble Pygmalion under the baton of Raphael Pichon has been awarded the "Victoire de la Musique", among numerous other prizes.

Warm congrats and we look forward to the upcoming concerts!