In 2027 we celebrate the 300th anniversary of JS Bach’s St Matthew Passion with a special performance in the iconic Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra, world-class Australian soloists, and Sydney Philharmonia’s Artistic and Music Director, Brett Weymark OAM.
Registration
Before you register please take a moment to read the important information on this page, and ensure you can commit to the full weekend in Sydney, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June 2027.
Registrations close on Monday 24 May 2027 unless sold out earlier.
We’d also recommend reading the Chorister Terms and Conditions here.
Multiple/other person registrations:
If you would like to register multiple choristers (eg, yourself and your partner/friend), or register another person as a gift, please do not do this online. Please register by calling Sydney Philharmonia Choirs on (02) 8274 6200 (Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm).
For Bach St Matthew Passion the choir will be divided into two equal parts, Choir 1 and Choir 2. When you register please select either Choir 1 or Choir 2 and your voice part. There is little difference between voice parts in Choirs 1 and 2 for ChorusOZ 2027.
We suggest family, friendship and choir groups register in the same Choir at the same time as some parts in either choir may reach capacity early.
When you Register for ChorusOz, you will be directed to a page housed by the Sydney Opera House. Sydney Philharmonia Choirs is a Resident Company of the Sydney Opera House and we share a booking system. You will need to log in or register. Your ChorusOz registration will be received by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.
As you proceed it will look like you are buying an ‘e-ticket’ to an event, but please be assured you are registering for ChorusOz:
- Do not select Best Seats +: select your voice type.
- The 6 June date you see refers to the first rehearsal date.
- You will not be charged a booking fee for registering for ChorusOz.
- Delivery options: Please select “receive via post”.
Once completed, you will receive a confirmation email from Sydney Opera House.
Music
We will be singing St Matthew Passion in German.
This St Matthew Passion will require a specially prepared score, so you will need the one we sent you rather than your own. This special score will be available for posting in late 2026. Any orders received after Friday 11 December will be posted in the new year.
Teaching tracks will be provided to guide you through the music and assist with your preparation. These will also be available for download in late 2026.
Composed by JS Bach in 1727, St Matthew Passion is widely regarded as one of the greatest works in Western music. It sets parts of St Matthew’s Gospel (Chapters 26 and 27) that describe the trial and crucifixion of Christ to music, intended to be performed as part of the Good Friday Vespers at Leipzig’s Thomaskirche where Bach was cantor. It was performed again in 1729, 1736 and 1742 but was then overlooked until Mendelssohn revived it (and Bach’s popularity) with his own orchestrated version in Berlin in 1829.
After the opening choral, Jesus announces that he will be crucified in the coming days and the story unfolds from there, through to his descent from the cross and burial. The drama is revealed in arias and chorales between the characters – Jesus, the Evangelist, Pilate, Judas, other apostles, the chorus as Crowds – at times turbulent, reflective, tragic and impossibly beautiful.
St Matthew Passion comprises two choruses, two orchestras (each with continuo organ) and a group of soloists as the main characters. Its genius comes through in the way the orchestras, soloists and choirs weave around each other, with rich and delicious harmonies and details.
Performance
Invite your family and friends along to see your performance at the Sydney Opera House.
Tickets to ChorusOz | St Matthew Passion will be available from late November 2026. Once you have registered, you will be sent your special Chorister discount code which can be used when purchasing tickets to the performance. Seats will be very limited so we encourage you to book early!
Preparation
ChorusOz rehearsals will take place at Sydney Opera House on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June 2027. The concert will take place on Sunday 13 June 2027 at 5.00pm.
Saturday 12 June 2027 – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
7.30am: check in
9.00am – 12:00pm: choir rehearsal (includes 15-minute break)
1.00pm – 4.00pm: choir and soloists rehearsal (includes 15-minute break)
BYO lunch (light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase from foyer bars all day).
Sunday 13 June 2027 – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
8.00am: Concert Hall foyers open with coffee and tea available
9.00am – 12.00pm: choir rehearsal (includes 15-minute break)
1.00pm – 4.00pm: general rehearsal with choir, soloists and orchestra
4.00pm: break and afternoon tea, coffee provided
5.00pm – 6.30pm: performance in front of live audience
6.30pm – 7.30pm: post concert celebration
BYO lunch – tea and coffee provided all day (light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase from foyer bars all day).
Preparing for the weekend
There’s no audition or vocal assessment, however, the ability to follow a music score will be an advantage. You will also need a basic understanding of music and musical terms. It is expected that you will use the score, text and teaching tracks provided as part of your registration to prepare yourself before the weekend.
T-shirts
Your fee includes a souvenir ChorusOz T-Shirt which all choristers will wear for the Sunday performance. If necessary, refer to the sizing chart below and select your size when registering.
Ladies’ size 6, 8 and 10 is equivalent to XS
Ladies’ 12 equivalent to S
Ladies’ 14 equivalent to M
Ladies’ 16 equivalent to L and so forth
Scores and music
Scores will be available for posting from October 2026.
Any orders received after Friday 11 December 2026 will be posted in the new year.
Teaching tracks will be provided to guide you through the music and assist with your preparation. These will also be available for download in late 2026.
Voice parts
For Bach St Matthew Passion the choir will be divided into two equal parts, Choir 1 and Choir 2. When you register please select either Choir 1 or Choir 2 and your voice part. There is little difference between voice parts in Choirs 1 and 2 for ChorusOZ 2027. We suggest family, friendship and choir groups register in the same Choir at the same time as some parts in either choir may reach capacity early
Cost
$439 per adult – including GST – for which you will receive:
- Your St Matthew Passion score, and postage to your address
- Digital access to rehearsal tracks
- Souvenir ChorusOz T-shirt
- Souvenir ChorusOz program book
- All day tea and coffee on Sunday at Sydney Opera House
- All rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday led by Music Director and Conductor, Brett Weymark
- Your performance with full orchestra and soloists at the Sydney Opera House at 5.00pm on Sunday 13 June 2027.
Any general queries or registrations for others or multiple choristers, call us on (02) 8274 6200 (Monday-Friday 9.00am–5.00pm).
