“Music and Humanities in Bach’s Passion” appreciation talks to be held in May

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will organise "Music and Humanities in Bach's Passion" appreciation talks in May. This lecture series consists of three sessions featuring broadcaster Calvin Lai and vocal professor Stephen Ng as speakers. A glossary of Bach's passions will be presented, and the multiple layers of musical meanings in both "St. John Passion" and "St. Matthew Passion" will be described to the audience. Members of the SingFest Choral Academy will perform for the live demonstration.
 
     Details of the talk series are as follows:
 
First session: A Glossary
May 3 (Friday), 7.30pm; Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum
Speaker: Calvin Lai
Content: From the musical terms to understanding the basic structure of Bach's passions with live demonstration by vocalists.
Ticket price: $50 (free seating)
 
Second session: The Story and the Characters
May 10 (Friday), 7.30pm; Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum
Speaker: Calvin Lai
Content: Providing an understanding of Bach's intriguing way of telling Biblical story, as well as how characters were developed by giving them singing passages uniquely their own. The programme includes demonstration by soloists and a vocal ensemble.
Ticket price: $50 (free seating)
 
Third session: Dramatic Choral Scenes
May 16 (Thursday), 8pm; Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Speaker: Stephen Ng
Content: The dramatic choir scenes in the two passions will be the highlight of the evening. These include the impactful "Yelling of Crucifying Jesus" choruses, and the earthquake following Jesus's death. The programme includes demonstration by soloists, a choir and an orchestra to be conducted by Dominic Lam.
Ticket price: $80
 
     Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_782.html.