The Mattheus Passion

Music Extrema and Noraly Beyer
Noraly Beyer as narrator

One of the greatest musical works in classical music: the St. Matthew Passion, interpreted in a bold and refreshing adaptation. A unique performance where classical music and Latin American music come together.

theater creator Jan Rot († 22-04-2022) created the Dutch translation, impressively telling the story of the evangelist. Former newsreader Noraly Beyer takes on the role of narrator from 2023.

Versatile soprano Claudia Patacca has made her mark on various opera and concert stages in the Netherlands and abroad. She has collaborated with conductors such as Jaap van Zweden, Ed Spanjaard, and Simon Rattle, portraying roles like Donna Anna and Rosalinde. Claudia has also performed Bach’s St. Matthew Passion multiple times, including with the Orchestra of the East and the Brabant Orchestra. A remarkable experience was the CD recording and premiere of the Mattheuspassie, Jan Rot’s Dutch adaptation, in a sold-out and enthusiastic Anton Philipszaal in The Hague with the Residentie Orkest & Bachkoor in 2006. Claudia toured Dutch theaters during the holidays with ‘Wien bleibt Wien 2.0,’ sang the title role in Salieri’s opera Armida at Opera Nijetrijne last summer, and performed two staged cantatas by Handel and Telemann with Combattimento at the Valletta Baroque Festival in Malta last year. Claudia is the main subject teacher of classical singing at the ArtEZ Conservatory in Zwolle and has given masterclasses at the renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Baritone Joost van Tongeren (1973) focuses on performing classical songs, oratorios, opera, and also light music. Joost worked as a soloist and ensemble singer for multiple seasons in the shortened version of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, narrated by Edwin Rutten. Last year, Joost, together with Patrick Hopper on the Pierre Palla concert organ, performed a concert of popular songs titled ‘Hollandse Muziekschatten’ from the archive of the Music Center of the Broadcast. With his ensemble Casuquo, he has been providing live music for funerals, weddings, and other private events for over 20 years.

The music is provided by the orchestra Musica Extrema, which has undergone a development since its founding that is nothing short of remarkable. The orchestra has performed on practically all major and minor concert stages in the Netherlands, and the ensemble has often been introduced to international audiences.

Musica Extrema:
Tanya Schaap – Violin and artistic direction
Ben van den Dungen – Saxophones
Wilco Oomkes – Accordion
Mihan Hong – Piano
Marijn van de Ven – Double Bass