The Passion

Welcome to Manchester for a very special performance of an abridged

version of Bach's St Matthew Passion.

The story follows Jesus in the days leading to his

crucifixion and burial.

Tonight, two award-winning ensembles come together for an unforgettable

staging of this classical masterpiece.

The charity Streetwise Opera work with people who have experienced

homelessness, and other members of the community,

using music to transform lives.

Those very people are the heart, and also the vocal chords,

of this production.

These singers are joined by world-renowned choir

and orchestra The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christophers.

Directed by Penny Woolcock, tonight's world premiere features

a brand new "resurrection" finale with music by Sir James MacMillan

and words from the Streetwise Opera performers themselves.

We'll join the audience as they're guided around the grand Victorian

setting of Campfield Market.

Along the way we'll meet multiple performers in the leading role -

a symbolic reminder of Jesus's vulnerability and universality.

You're in for a real treat.

Happy Easter, and enjoy - The Passion.

# See him, the Bridegroom.

# Christ, see him, a spotless lamb.

# Lamb, see him, the Bridegroom Christ,

# See him, a spotless Lamb.

# Lamb, see him, the Bridegroom Christ,

# See him, a spotless Lamb.

# O Lamb of God most holy, who on the Cross didst languish.

# Lamb, see him, the Bridegroom Christ,

# See him, a spotless Lamb.

# You know that in two days it will be Passover

# And the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.

# Then the chief priests and the scribes

# And the elders of the people assembled

# And set off to the palace of the High Priest

# Who was called Caiphas

# Where they conspired to capture Jesus and kill him.

# Not up on the feast, Jesus and kill him.

# Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot,

# Went to the chief priests and said...

# How much will you pay me if I hand Him over to you?

# And the chief priests counted out for him

# Thirty pieces of silver.

# And from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.

# Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread,

# The disciples came to Jesus and they said to him...

# Where would you like us to prepare the Passover meal for you?

# He said...

# Go to the city and find that man we know

# And tell him that the Master says: My time has come.

# I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.

# And the disciples did

# What Jesus had asked them to do

# And they prepared the Passover meal.

# When evening came,

# He was sitting at table with the twelve.

# And as they all ate, he said...

# Truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.

# And they were exceedingly sorrowful

# And every one of them turned towards him and said...

# Lord, is it I?

# And he answered and said...

# Whoever dips his hand in the bowl with Me

# Is going to betray me.

# The Son of Man must fulfil his prophecy.

# But woe to whoever decides to betray the Son of Man.

# It would be better for him, if he had never been born.

# Then Judas, who did betray him, spoke up and said...

# Master, is it me?

# He said to him...

# If you say so.

# And as they were eating, Jesus took bread,

# Blessed it, and broke it,

# And gave it to the disciples and said...

# Take, eat, this is my body.

# And he took the cup, and gave thanks,

# And gave it to them, saying...

# Drink this all of you.

# This is your blood of the New Testament,

# Which is shed for many, for the forgiveness of sins.

# I say to you, from now on

# I will not drink the fruit of the vine

# Until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

# This very night, you will all fall away and leave me

# For it is written...

# "I will smite the shepherd

# "And the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad".

# But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

# Peter answered and said to Jesus...

# Even if all the others turn their backs on you,

# I will never turn my back on you.

# Jesus said to him...

# Truly I say to you that on this very night

# Before the cock crows.

# You will deny Me three times.

# Peter said to Jesus...

# If it means I have to die for You,

# I will not deny You.

# And all the disciples said the same thing.

# Here would I stand beside thee Lord,

# Bid me not depart!

# From here would I stand beside thee.

# From thee I will not sever,

# When bitter pain shall hold thee in agony,

# Then will I enfold thee with my loving breast.

# Wait here while I go over there and pray.

# Jesus took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee

# Then Jesus said to them...

# My soul is so very sorrowful,

# I am close to death.

# Stay here and watch with me.

TENOR ARIA:

# I would beside my Lord be watching.

# And so our sin will fall asleep,

# I would beside my Lord be watching

# And so our sins will fall asleep.

# I would beside my Lord be watching

# And so our sins will fall asleep.

# And so our sin will fall asleep,

# And so our sin will fall asleep,

# And he went a little further, and fell on his face,

# And prayed, saying...

# My father, if it be possible,

# Let this cup pass from me:

# Yet not as I will, but as you will.

# When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep

# And he said to Peter...

# Could you not keep watch with me one hour?

# Watch and pray, that you fall not into temptation.

# The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

# He went away again the second time, and prayed and said...

# Oh my Father,

# If this cup may not be taken from me unless I drink it,

# Your will be done.

# And he came and found them asleep again,

# For their eyes were very heavy.

# And he left them, and went away again,

# And prayed to God the third time, saying again the same words.

# Then he returned to his disciples

# And said to them all...

# Sleep now and take your rest.

# Listen, the hour is at hand,

# When the Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of sinners.

# Wake up, let us be going,

# Behold, the one who has betrayed us is here.

# And while he was speaking, Judas, one of the twelve arrived,

# Followed by a large crowd sent by the chief priests and elders,

# Armed with swords and clubs.

# Now, the one who had betrayed him had arranged a sign with the others,

# "Whoever I kiss, he is the man you must arrest."

# He came to Jesus and said...

# Hail, Master.

# And kissed him.

# Jesus said to Judas...

# My friend, why ever have you come here?

# Then they drew near and laid hands on Jesus,

# And took him.

# Behold, my Saviour now is taken

# They lead Him hence, with cords they bind Him!

# Have lightenings and thunders, their fury forgotten?

# Open, O fathomless pit, all thy terrors!

# Have lightenings and thunders, their fury forgotten?

# Open, O fathomless pit, all thy terrors!

# Destroy them, overwhelm them, consume them,

# Devour them with tumult of rage,

# The merciless throng.

# Put your sword back, return it to its place,

# For all who live by the sword, will die by the sword.

# Of course, we know that you could easily pray

# To your Father and ask him to send down

# More than twelve legions of angels.

# But you cannot do that

# Because the scriptures must be fulfilled.

# Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.

# And those who had arrested Jesus,

# Led him to the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest,

# Where the scribes and elders had gathered together.

# But Peter followed them at a distance,

# To the court of the High Priest

# And sat down with the servants

# To see where this would end.

# The chief priests and the elders,

# Looked for false evidence so they could put Jesus to death.

# Finally there came two false witnesses, and said...

# This person said, I am able to destroy the temple of God

# And in three days to build it up again.

# Why do you keep silent?

# Have you nothing to say to this witness?

# But Jesus held his peace.

# So you say.

# Nevertheless, I say to you,

# When this is over,

# Arriving on the clouds of heaven.

# Then the High Priest was so enraged

# He tore his clothes and said...

# He has admitted his blasphemy.

# What further need have we of witnesses?

# Now you have heard his blasphemy yourselves,

# What shall we do?

# They answered and said...

# He is worthy of death!

# Some of them spat in his face and punched him with fists

# While others hit him with the palms of their hands

# And said...

# Now tell us now Christ, who is he that smote thee?

# Now, Peter was still sitting outside the court

# When a woman came up to him and said...

# You were with that Jesus of Galilee.

# But he denied it before them all, and said...

# What are you talking about?

And when he left and went outside to the porch

# This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

# And again he denied it with an oath.

# I do not know the man.

# And a little later,

# Some of those who were standing nearby,

# Also turned round and said...

# Surely thou also art one of them, for thy speech betrayeth thee.

# Then he began to curse and to swear.

# I don't know this man.

# And immediately the cock crew.

# And Peter remembered the words that Jesus had spoken to him.

# "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times."

# And he went out and wept bitter tears.

# Have mercy Lord, regard my bitter weeping.

# Have mercy Lord

# Have mercy Lord

# Have mercy Lord

# Regard my bitter weeping

# Have mercy, Lord

# Regard my bitter weeping

# Regard my bitter weeping

# Lord on me

# Have mercy, Lord on me

# Have mercy, Lord on me

# Regard my bitter weeping

# Have mercy, Lord on me

# Have mercy, Lord on me

# Have mercy, Lord on me

# Regard my bitter weeping

# Have mercy, Lord on me

# Regard my bitter weeping

# Now, when it was morning,

# All the chief priests and elders of the people

# Decided that Jesus should be put to death.

# And when they had bound him, they led him away,

# And handed him over to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

# Then Judas, who had betrayed him,

# Was seized with remorse when Jesus was condemned

# And he brought back the 30 pieces of silver

# The chief priests and elders had given him and said...

# I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.

# And they said...

# But what is that to us?

# And he threw the pieces of silver down in the temple,

# Left the palace and went away and hanged himself.

# And the chief priests took the silver pieces and said...

# It is not lawful to put them in the treasury.

# Because it is the price of blood.

# Jesus stood before the governor

# And the governor asked him plainly...

# Are you the King of the Jews?

# Jesus said to Pilate...

# So you say.

# But when the chief priests and elders began accusing him

# He said nothing.

# So then Pilate said to him...

# Can't you hear how many things they accuse you of doing?

# But Jesus never said a single word.

# And the governor found this truly amazing.

# Now, at that feast it was the governor's custom

# To release a prisoner chosen by the people.

# And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

# Therefore, when the crowd had gathered together,

# Pilate said to them...

# Which of these two men would you like me to release to you?

# Barabbas or Jesus, of whom it is said,

# He is the Christ.

# For he knew well that they had handed him over out of envy.

# And while he sat upon the judgment seat,

# His wife sent to him and her message said...

# Have nothing to do with this righteous man.

# I have suffered much in a dream today on his account!

# But the high priests and the elders

# Convinced the people that they should ask for Barabbas

# And convict Jesus.

# So when the Governor replied and said to them...

# Which one between the two

# Do you want me to release to you?

# They said...

# Barabbas!

# What shall I do with Jesus, who is known as the Christ?

# They all say...

# Let him be crucified.

# Let him be crucified.

SOPRANO ARIA:

# For love my Saviour,

# For love my Saviour is dying.

# For love my Saviour,

# For love my Saviour is dying.

# Of sin and guilt, he knoweth nought.

# Of sin and guilt, he knoweth nought.

# But they cried out the more and said...

# Let him be crucified.

# When Pilate saw the crowd was getting restless

# And would not listen to him

# He took water and washed his hands in front of the people and said...

# I am innocent.

# This man's blood is not on my hands but on yours.

# Then he released Barabbas to them

# And after he had Jesus whipped

# He delivered him up to be crucified.

# O Sacred Head, surrounded by crown of piercing thorn!

# O bleeding Head, so wounded, reviled and put to scorn.

# Death's pallid hue comes o'er thee, the glow of life decays.

# Yet angel hosts adore thee and tremble as they gaze.

# Come healing cross, oh joy to cherish.

# Oh joy to share it.

# My Saviour, lay on me its weight for me prepare it.

# Come healing cross,

# Come healing cross,

# Oh joy to share it.

# My Saviour, lay on me its weight for me prepare it.

# Come healing cross, its weight for me prepare it.

# Oh joy to share it.

# My Saviour, lay on me its weight.

# Now, from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land

# Up to the ninth hour.

# About the ninth hour, Jesus cried aloud and said...

# Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani!

# That is, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

# Some of them that stood there heard him and said...

# He calleth for Elijah.

# Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice,

# Yielded up the ghost.

# At that moment, the curtain of the temple

# Was ripped in two from the top to the bottom

# And the earth did quake, and the rocks split in two

# And the graves opened

# And the bodies of many saints who had died came to life again.

# They came out of the tombs and after his resurrection

# They went into the Holy City and appeared to many people.

# Now, when the centurion and those who were guarding Jesus

# Saw the earthquake and everything that happened

# They were very afraid and said...

# Truly this was the Son of God.

# Truly this was the Son of God.

# I awoke today to no signal

# Lonely, helpless and afraid

# I have nothing, nothing, nothing

# The red light of dawn falls like blood on the wire

# Giant cranes hang their heads in shame

# A city rat eats its mate in the rubble

# We have all become scavengers Death is everywhere.

# Hello, hello

# Is anybody there?

# A stranger gave me water

# I gave another food

# I hear someone singing

# Together we're singing

# We'll build a better place

# On the one that's been destroyed

# And the rain still falls.

# And the rain still falls.

# And the rain still falls.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.