28

FRIDAY

Traditionally performed on Good Friday, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion marks not only the crucifixion of Christ but the rebirth of its composer: When revived by Mendelssohn in 1829, it established the reputation of the long-neglected Bach, who was best known in his own day as organist. This Washington Choral Arts Society concert will be conducted by German Bach authority Helmuth Rilling, founder of the International Bach Academy and conductor of a recent recording of the Passion by the Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart and the Bach-Collegium Stuttgart (both of which he established). The first guest to conduct an entire Choral Arts Society concert, Rilling also selected the soloists: soprano Maria Jette, alto Ruth Sandhoff, tenor Marcus Ullman, and basses Thomas Quasthoff and Peter Bording. Preceding the performance at 6 p.m. will be a lecture by Dr. Gerald Christenson and Dr. Dexter N. Weikel, authors of Bach: The Well-Tempered Church Musician. The concert is at 7 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall, 18th & D Sts. NW. $10-33. (202) 767-5658. (Mark Jenkins)