Legendary choreographer John Neumeier stages Bach's monumental sacred masterpiece, featuring the extraordinary dancers of the Hamburg Ballet.
Awe-inspiring in its complexity, universal in its appeal, Bach's St. Matthew Passion is considered by many to be the single greatest masterpiece of western sacred music, a profoundly moving depiction of the final days of the life of Jesus. John Neumeier, the celebrated choreographer who made his LAO debut with Orpheus and Eurydice in 2018, returns to Los Angeles with one of his signature creations, a ballet that has been cheered by audiences throughout the world.
Marrying the powerful music and narrative with dance in complete harmony, Neumeier fills the stage with unforgettable movement and images. The extraordinary dancers of the Hamburg Ballet join forces with James Conlon, a team of brilliant vocal soloists (including Susan Graham), and LA Opera's formidable orchestra and chorus for a spellbinding, deeply meaningful performance you'll never forget.
All tickets now on sale below and include our ticket guarantee: should anything change and you don’t feel comfortable joining us, we’ll be happy to exchange or refund your tickets free of charge. Save more when you purchase a 2021/22 Design-Your-Own package.
Important COVID-19 Audience Policy Update:
LA Opera has adopted a temporary vaccination-only policy in addition to requiring masks. These guidelines will be in effect beginning September 1, 2021 and will end as soon as they are deemed no longer necessary. Please click here to review all protocols.
New Breathe Easy Section
Pending availability, LA Opera has made some seats available in certain sections where the seat next to you and your party could be blocked off. Seats in our Breathe Easy Section are extremely limited and available only by calling the Box Office at 213.972.8001
"Some of the most profound drama by this most profound of composers... a spectacle of ceaseless, rich imagery and movement."
Pre-Show Talk
Arrive early to watch the pre-recorded talk by James Conlon. The talk will be screened on large outdoor monitors on the Music Center Plaza for audiences to enjoy, beginning one hour before the opera.
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Aleix Martinez and Xue Lin with the Hamburg Ballet ensemble in LA Opera's 2022 production of "St. Matthew Passion"
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The Hamburg Ballet in LA Opera's 2022 production of "St. Matthew Passion"
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Aleix Martinez and Yaiza Coll with the Hamburg Ballet ensemble in LA Opera's 2022 production of "St. Matthew Passion"
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The Hamburg Ballet in LA Opera's 2022 production of "St. Matthew Passion"
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Marc Jubete with the Hamburg Ballet ensemble in LA Opera's 2022 production of "St. Matthew Passion"
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Marc Jubete with the Hamburg Ballet ensemble in LA Opera's 2022 production of "St. Matthew Passion"
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Marc Jubete, Pablo Polo and Florian Pohl with the Hamburg Ballet ensemble in LA Opera's 2022 production of "St. Matthew Passion"
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Xue Lin with the Hamburg Ballet ensemble in LA Opera's 2022 production of "St. Matthew Passion"
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Tenor Joshua Blue (Evangelist) and bass-baritone Michael Sumuel (Jesus) in LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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Tenor Ben Bliss in LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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Bass Kristinn Sigmundsson in LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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A scene from LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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A scene from LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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A scene from LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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A scene from LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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Marc Jubete (right) with the Hamburg Ballet in LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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A scene from LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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Mezzo-soprano Susan Graham in LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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Dancers from the Hamburg Ballet in LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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Dancers from the Hamburg Ballet in LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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Dancers from the Hamburg Ballet in LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
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Dancers from the Hamburg Ballet in LA Opera's 2022 presentation of "St. Matthew Passion."
Cory Weaver / LA OperaSingers and Dancers
- The Evangelist
- Joshua Blue
- Jesus
- Michael Sumuel
- Soprano
- Tamara Wilson
- Mezzo-Soprano
- Susan Graham
- Tenor
- Ben Bliss
- Bass
- Kristinn Sigmundsson
- Baritone (3/20)
- Michael J. Hawk
- Baritone (3/23-27)
- James Martin Schaefer
- Dancers
- Hamburg Ballet
Creative Team
- Conductor
- James Conlon
- Choreography, Staging, Design
- John Neumeier
- Chorus Director
- Grant Gershon
- Children's Chorus Director
- Fernando Malvar-Ruiz

Read the synopsis
The running time is approximately three hours and 55 minutes, including one 25 minute intermission.
Sung in German with English subtitles.
Click here for the digital program.
Read James Conlon's essay on St. Matthew Passion here.
Production new to Los Angeles. Production from the Hamburg Ballet.
Production made possible with generous support from
GRoW @ Annenberg
David and Linda Shaheen
and
Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer
With special appreciation to Gregory and Régina Annenberg Weingarten
Susan Graham’s appearance made possible by generous support from The Eva and Marc Stern Principal Artists Fund
Special support for the LA Opera Chorus from the National Endowment for the Arts
LA Opera Orchestra generously underwritten by Terri and Jerry Kohl
A Classical KUSC Partner Show
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