Salvation on stage

As Easter approaches, musicians from USQ and the community are preparing a special performance that is set to delight audiences.

For the first time Toowoomba audiences will have the opportunity to see Bach's celebrated St John Passion on stage at St Luke's Church on Good Friday and Easter Saturday.

The St John Passion was first heard in 1724 and follows the Gospel account of Christ's betrayal, trial and crucifixion.

Musical director, USQ Senior Lecturer in Music Phillip Gearing, said mounting the performance was something he had wanted to do for a long time.

'The St John Passion is a great work and, to my knowledge, has never been performed before in Toowoomba.

'This will be a semi-staged production, so the music will be presented with some action and costuming.

'Jesus' crucifixion and death will be very moving, very sensitive. Joseph Ward OBE, who is the stage director, has taken great care to create a dramatic, yet intimate production, which makes it very appealing.

'It is an adventurous undertaking for us, with only five weeks to prepare, but with the soloists, a choir of 50 and an orchestra of 25 it will be a dramatic and captivating event.'

The USQ Singers and USQ Orchestra will combine with the Chamber Strings of Toowoomba for the production.

'A number of very talented soloists will perform including well known local tenor Martin Paroz singing the part of the Evangelist, the narrator of the story.

'Arthur Johnson, Director of the USQ Opera Studio, will sing the role of Christ.

'The other soloists will be Hayley Sugars, soprano, recently named as an Opera Queensland Developing Artist, USQ Bachelor of Music student Michelle Coutts, alto, USQ graduate Bernard Wheaton, tenor, and USQ Music Honours student Jon Maskell, bass.'

The concert will be presented at 5pm on Friday 6 April (Good Friday) and 7pm on Saturday 7 April (Easter Saturday) in association with the AGMFestival.  Tickets can be purchased from the USQ Box Office on 07 4631 1111 or at the Church prior to the concerts - $21 Adult, $17 Concession, $6 Child and $15 AGMF ticketholders.

Media Contact: Connie-Louise Alexander, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2977