2026 № 1 (56)
St Matthew Passion by J. Neumeier: Choreographic Embodiment of J.S. Bach’s Oratorio
UDC 792.8
LBC 85.335.423
DOI: 10.51678/2226-0072-2026-1-378-397
For cit.: Kondratova P.A. St Matthew Passion by J. Neumeier: Choreographic Embodiment of J.S. Bach’s Oratorio. Hudozhestvennaya kul’tura [Art & Culture Studies], 2026, no. 1, pp. 378–397. https://doi.org/10.51678/2226-0072-2026-1-378-397. (In Russian)
Kondratova Polina A.
PhD Student, Department of Ballet Studies, A. Ya. Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, 2 Zodchego Rossi Str., St. Petersburg, 191023, Russia
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5346-4987
St Matthew Passion by J. Neumeier: Choreographic Embodiment of J.S. Bach’s Oratorio
Abstract. St Matthew Passion (1981) is one of John Neumeier’s most important and iconic works representing a ‘living’ fresco of the New Testament story. In this article, the author attempts to explore the choreographic interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach’s three-hour Passion as realized by the German choreographer. According to the concept of the ballet, the events of Holy Week are intertwined with contemporary life: both the characters from the Gospel and witnesses who have watched the course of history through the millennia coexist in the same universe. The identical costumes and the two-tiered stage space correspond to the author’s vision. In his search for the ways to depict the Gospel story, the choreographer employed both specific illustrations of certain scenes and metaphors that were reflected in the ballet d’action. The choreography is filled with symbols and expressive gestures that carry significant meaning. Thanks to the complex interplay between several layers — the choreography, the music, and Picander’s libretto — the characters are revealed in greater detail from a psychological perspective, and the narrative becomes more intense and dramatic. J. Neumeier’s St Matthew Passion is a multi-layered work that requires detailed consideration.
Keywords: J. Neumeier, St Matthew Passion, J.S. Bach’s oratorio, Passion, choreographic embodiment of the Gospel
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Received 28.08.2025
Revised 10.12.2025
Accepted 24.12.2025
