When does the event start?

The performance starts on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 18:00 in the Theater Hall Augustinum Dießen am Ammersee.

How long does the performance last?

The film duration is approximately 115 minutes without a longer break.

Is there an introduction?

Yes, Jürgen Seeger, former program director of BR-KLASSIK, will give an introduction to the concert film.

What is the admission fee?

Admission is free, a voluntary contribution is requested.

Is the venue accessible?

Information about the accessibility of the theater hall will be provided by the organizer. Details to follow.

Where will the event take place?

Theater Hall Augustinum, Am Augustinerberg 1, 86911 Dießen am Ammersee.

Bach's John Passion as a Cinema Evening: Great Emotions, Clear Dramaturgy

Name: Johann Sebastian Bach: John Passion - Concert Film with Introduction
Start: 2026-03-31T20:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-03-31T21:55:00+02:00
Location: Theatersaal Augustinum

John Passion as a Cinematic Experience: Bach's Drama in Light and Sound

An evening for heart and mind: In the theater hall of Augustinum Dießen, the inner stage of Johann Sebastian Bach's John Passion unfolds as a highly produced concert film. The choir of Bavarian Radio and Concerto Köln combine historical sound speech with modern imagery; the introduction is by Jürgen Seeger, long-time program director of BR-KLASSIK.

The Dramaturgy of the Path of Suffering - Grippingly Told

From the first choral scene, the production breathes theatrical tension: Turba choirs lash like gusts of wind, recitatives depict close-ups of moments of soul-searching decisions. The direction relies on clear sight lines that condense the stage experience in the gothic architecture of St. Lorenz in Nuremberg – music theater without scene changes, carried by text, lighting mood, and precise dramaturgy.

The Art of Vocal Performance - An Ensemble of Renown

The Evangelist (Maximilian Schmitt) leads with narrative precision through the events; Tareq Nazmi embodies Christ with a noble, calm bass profile. Between arias and chorales, a theatrical atmosphere of introspection opens up: sound colors as costumes, phrases as gestures. Under the musical direction of Peter Dijkstra, the BR choir and Concerto Köln create a vivid sound image - transparent, rhetorical, touching.

Stage Design of Space and Light - Sacred Acoustics as a Directorial Partner

The camera utilizes columns, galleries, and window axes like projections; the acoustics of the Lorenz Church serve as invisible scene painting. Warm candlelight meets cool stone surfaces, the chorales shine like tableaus. Thus, a sensual stage experience arises that makes the theatricality of the passion tangible without pathos, yet with high intellectual and spiritual content.

Musical Historical Context - Baroque Rhetoric, Contemporary Relevance

Bach's John Passion, balancing contemplative reflection and dramatic intensity, thrives on word-tone relations: affect, dissonance, general pause - all serve the narration. The historically informed playing style of Concerto Köln sharpens articulation and contrasts; the BR choir impresses with stylistic versatility and clearly shaped declamation.

Conclusion

An intense evening of great emotions and subtle nuances: This cinema format condenses oratorio into living stage art. Those who want to hear and see the John Passion anew will experience a gripping interpretation here with strong imagery. Live in the hall, one can feel the closeness, space, and audience reaction - a must-experience.