James MacMillan 'St John Passion': Exeter Cathedral South West Première - on Saturday 23rd March 2013 Nigel Perrin conducts the Exeter Festival Chorus Press Release from Elizabeth Watkins

Nigel Perrin
Musical Director
Exeter Festival Chorus

Passion, the Premiere

Exeter singers give first performance

of “film score” work

Tickets are still available for the South West premiere performances

of James Macmillan’s St John Passion

on Saturday 16 March in Wells Cathedral

and Saturday 23 March in Exeter Cathedral - book soon!

Musical Director, Nigel Perrin,  says performing this work will be:

“one of the most exciting and challenging moments of my whole career... a brilliant piece, with a really dramatic, theatrical quality – there is almost a film score feel to this music.”

Exeter Festival Chorus are joining with the City of Bath Bach Choir

The Wellensian Consort  (2010 BBC Choir of the Year) take the part of "narrator".

The orchestra is the Southern Sinfonia

The baritone soloist, Mark Stone, will take the role of Christus.

The Scottish composer, James Macmillan, is probably the most significant composer of this generation. His musical language is flooded with influences from his Scottish heritage, Catholic faith, social conscience and close connection with Celtic folk music, blended with influences from Far Eastern, Scandinavian and Eastern European music.

As part of the pioneering mission to bring this work to a wider audience -

Exeter Festival Chorus and the City of Bath Bach Choir,
in partnership with Mulberry and supported by the Arts Council,
have extended an invitation to schools and colleges in Somerset and Devon;

sixth-form music students have been invited not only to attend the concerts, but also to take part in two masterclass study days with the choirs, directed by Nigel Perrin.

For an idea of how members of EFC and the City of Bath Bach Choir are enjoying the challenge of working on this wonderful music, visit the website and watch

video clip of rehearsal

Tickets are on sale:
Side Aisle, unreserved: £10/£12
Rear Nave, restricted view: £10/£12
Front Nave, restricted view: £15/£17
Rear Nave: £15/£17
Front Nave: £20/£22

1. Available on the door

2. Exeter Visitor Information & Tickets
     (Dix's Field Exeter): 01392 665885

3. Exeter Festival Chorus Tickets
     (EFC Concert Secretary): 0845 6005441

4. online booking form

5. book online 

Exeter Festival Chorus
look on as
Musical Director Nigel Perrin
attacks the 'Big Mac'
James MacMillan's 'John Passion'

(many thanks to Elizabeth Watkins for this photo)