Joseph Haydn's powerful and emotional work, The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross", will be presented at on Good Friday, April 14, at 7 pm. at the United Community Church, North building, in St. Johnsbury. Based on the seven final sayings of Jesus as compiled from the Bible’s four gospels, this oratorio is arranged for string quartet and four solo voices.
The musicians, known as The Octet, have performed The Seven Last Words in Vermont churches during Holy Week for the past 20 years. The string quartet is Bert Francke and Susan Janes, violins; Roger Gillam, viola; Melissa Perley, cello; Martha Peck, soprano; Linda Radke, alto; Paul Bishop, tenor; and Jose Schmidt, bass.
Sung in German, with English translations, each “Word” has its own movement, bracketed by a beginning overture. Concluding with a movement depicting the earthquake from Matthew’s account of the Crucifixion, the oratorio encompasses anguish, sorrow, and great sweetness.
This performance is presented by Main St. Arts at North as a cultural experience and not as worship, per se, and is appropriate for people of any, or no, faith. The public may buy advance tickets ($10) through Catamount Arts, but everyone is invited to attend by donation at the door. Students are always free.
Questions? Contact Jay Sprout at jsprout@charter.net or 633-3043, or Gail Warnaar at gailw@theoldhomestead.com or 633-4016.