Opéra Royal - Bach Passion selon saint Mathhieu

From Saturday 27 to Sunday 28 March 2027

Saturday

19:00 to 20:00

Sunday

15:00 to 16:00

Location : Chapelle Royale

Destination

1 Pl. Léon Gambetta, 78000 Versailles

78000

Versailles

GPS coordinates

Latitude : 48.804982

Longitude : 2.122212

BY CAR
Motorway A13 - Versailles Notre-Dame exit
Motorway 186 - Versailles Centre exit
Free "Place d'armes" parking from 19:00

BY TRAIN

Gare Montparnasse > Gare Versailles Chantiers
Dreux, Mantes-la-Jolie, Rambouillet direction

Gare St. Lazare > Gare Versailles Rive Droite
Rive Droite direction

Paris RER C > Gare Versailles Rive Gauche - Château
Rive Gauche Château direction

Pont de Sèvres - Bus 171 > Versailles Château stop

Event Organizer

Château de Versailles Spectacles

Phone : +33 1 30 83 78 89

"Château de Versailles Spectacles"

Location

Chapelle Royale

1 Pl. Léon Gambetta, 78000 Versailles

78000

Versailles

lien de réservation pour le 27 mars

lien de réservation pour le 28 mars

Other Website

Presentation

Come and enjoy a performance of *St Matthew Passion* as part of Holy Week at the Opera. This production is produced and directed by the Royal Opera and its orchestra.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in classical music, Johann Sebastian Bach’s "St Matthew Passion" holds a unique place in the history of sacred repertoire. Most likely premiered on a Good Friday at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig during the 18th century, this monumental work continues to captivate audiences around the world.

Performed several times during Bach’s lifetime, the composition experienced a remarkable revival in the 19th century thanks to Felix Mendelssohn. His landmark performance in Berlin helped restore Bach’s reputation and re-established the composer as a central figure in European musical heritage.

Based on the Gospel of Matthew, whose account of the Passion is particularly detailed, the libretto written by Picander unfolds through twenty-eight poetic scenes. Bach enriches this narrative with Gospel recitatives, twelve harmonised chorales and additional hymns that enhance both the structure and spiritual depth of the work.

One of the defining features of the "St Matthew Passion" is its double choir. This innovative musical design heightens the dramatic impact by giving voice not only to the principal characters but also to the crowd, which becomes both witness and participant in the unfolding drama.

Through its scale and emotional richness, the work transcends the conventions of contemporary German Passion settings. Closer in spirit to a grand biblical oratorio, it alternates arias, recitatives and chorales to recount Christ’s final hours while expressing profound emotions such as devotion, compassion, sorrow and indignation.

A pinnacle of Baroque artistry, Bach’s "St Matthew Passion" combines spiritual depth with extraordinary dramatic power, creating an unforgettable musical experience.

Full programme to follow

Photos

Prices

The ticket office team is available by telephone on 01 30 83 78 89 (Monday to Friday, 11.00–18.00) or in person at the ticket office and shop (3 bis rue des Réservoirs, 78000 Versailles; Monday to Friday from 11.00 to 18.00, and on Saturdays when there are performances (excluding the Grandes Eaux Musicales) from 14.00 to 17.00).

For all PRM/PSH bookings, we recommend that you contact us directly at billetterie@chateauversailles-spectacles.fr or on 01 30 83 78 89.

We also suggest...