15th Montana Early Music Festival March 29-April 1
J.S. Bach Johannespassion

Musikanten Montana announces the 15th Annual Montana Early Music Festival March 29 - April 1, with concerts in four Montana cities - Bozeman, Butte, Missoula and Helena.

Following up on the highly acclaimed 2016 Festival performances of J.S. Bach's iconic Mass in B minor, this year's featured work is Bach's Johannespassion, the Passion of Christ according to the Gospel of St. John. Bach's text is taken directly from the Gospel - the tenor Evangelist sings the narration of the scripture, with a bass singing Jesus' words and a baritone the speeches of Pilate. The chorus sings the words of the angry crowd as they demand the crucifixion. Soloists reflect in moving arias the feelings of those present that last day, and the choir changes roles to sing the serene Lutheran chorales interspersed in this dramatic scene.

Musikanten Artistic Director Kerry Krebill conducts Denver tenor Daniel Hutchings as the Evangelist, with other favorite Festival soloists Bobb Robinson, Robert Tudor and Marjorie Bunday, and newcomers Art Bumgardner (bass), Jason Rylander (tenor) and Kathryn Radakovich (soprano). The 13 orchestra musicians are Early Music specialists, coming to Montana from Seattle, New York, Minneapolis and Indianapolis, and play instruments of Bach's time - Baroque strings, viola da gamba, oboe d'amore and oboe di caccia, flauti traversi and harpsichord.

These HIP (Historically Informed Performances) of Bach's moving setting of Jesus' last day on earth coincide with the Lenten period of penitence and reflection leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection, adding a spiritual dimension to the audience's experience. Opening the Festival is the performance Wednesday March 29 at Holy Rosary Parish in Bozeman, Thursday's concert is at Immaculate Conception in Butte, and Friday is at St. Francis Xavier in Missoula. On Saturday April 1 the final Passion performance is in Helena at St. John's Lutheran Church, chosen especially because Bach was a devout Lutheran (and 2017 is the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's disputation). All performances begin at 7:30 pm.

Seating is general admission, with a reserved section for Musikanten Angel donors ($100 ). Tickets are available at Birds and Beasleys, Piccolo's Music and at the door: $30 General Admission, $20 Seniors, $10 Students, with a Family Pass (maximum 5 persons) available for $60. Call 442-6825 or visit www.musikantenmt.org for more information.