Thomanerchor Leipzig and Gewandhausorchester Leipzig—Bach’s St Matthew Passion

The 300th anniversary of its premiere—from the choir and orchestra of Bach’s Leipzig

No other choir in the world can claim a direct lineage to Bach. Thomanerchor Leipzig, one of the world’s oldest boys’ choirs, has sung for more than 800 years, and Bach served as its cantor from 1723–50. Renowned for the purity of its choral sound, the Choir preserves the boy treble tradition of Bach’s era, under conductor Andreas Reize, the 18th Thomaskantor after the composer.

St Matthew Passion was composed for Thomanerchor Leipzig and premiered at St Thomas Church on Good Friday in 1727, reaching its 300th anniversary in 2027. Scored for double choir, double orchestra, soloists and continuo, it traces the final days of Christ between monumental choral writing and solitary grief. The opening chorus unfolds as a vast processional lament, the two choirs calling and answering across the space; arias of piercing tenderness alternate with the crowd choruses, pressing the narrative forward with unsettling force. This remains Bach’s most expansive vocal work.

The Choir is joined by the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, founded in 1743 and one of the most venerable orchestras in the world. Mendelssohn served as its Kapellmeister, and Brahms and Richard Strauss conducted from its podium—a history inseparable from Leipzig’s musical life. Together, these two historic institutions bring the Passion to Hong Kong in its anniversary year.

Advance Bookings will start at 10am on 7 October 2026