Bach and Ballet Come Together for “Passion & Devotion” at St. Paul’s Cathedral
There is something special about experiencing powerful music inside one of San Diego’s most beautiful sacred spaces. La Jolla Symphony & Chorus is bringing that energy to Bankers Hill with Passion & Devotion, a collaboration with San Diego Ballet that pairs Bach’s St. John Passion with contemporary choreography inside St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral.
This is not just a traditional concert. It is an immersive blend of music, movement, and architecture that invites us to experience a Baroque masterpiece in a fresh way.
A Work With Real Drama
Bach’s St. John Passion carries the scale and emotional intensity of opera. The storytelling moves quickly, the music shifts from intimate to thunderous, and the chorus plays a central role in driving the drama forward.
Under the baton of Arian Khaefi, La Jolla Symphony & Chorus will perform the full work alongside six guest soloists:
- William Propp – Bass, Pilate
- Jon Lee Keenan – Evangelist
- Philip Lima – Jesus
- Anne-Marie Dicce – Soprano, Maid
- Alexandra Rodrick – Mezzo Soprano
- Arnold Livingston Geis – Tenor, Servant
For more than 70 years, LJS&C has been part of San Diego’s cultural fabric.
The ensemble includes over 230 volunteer musicians – community members, UC San Diego students, faculty, staff, and professional artists – all coming together to perform ambitious programming that blends beloved masterworks with new voices and perspectives.
Dance Woven Into the Music
What makes Passion & Devotion especially compelling is the collaboration with San Diego Ballet.
Choreographic excerpts by Matt Carney will be performed by Sierra Crocker, Joseph Lister, David Waisman, and Kayleen Beard. The movement weaves classical and contemporary dance into the performance, adding another emotional layer to Bach’s already expressive score.
San Diego Ballet has long reflected the creative spirit of our city, with dancers from around the world and a strong connection to the local arts community. Seeing their work integrated into a sacred choral masterwork inside a gothic cathedral feels like the kind of artistic crossover that keeps San Diego’s cultural scene dynamic and evolving.
A Setting That Elevates the Experience
St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral provides a striking backdrop for this collaboration. The vaulted ceilings and gothic architecture naturally amplify the sound, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive.
Sacred music resonates differently in a sacred space. The combination of live orchestra, full chorus, soloists, and dance inside this historic cathedral promises an evening that feels immersive from the first note to the final chorus.
Go Deeper With a Free Public Lecture
If you enjoy diving into the context behind the music, there is also a free public lecture presented in collaboration with the San Diego Early Music Society.
Michael Marissen will speak at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, exploring how Bach depicts Jews and Christians in St. John Passion and how he musically heightens both the marvelous and the more troubling sentiments found in the New Testament and key writings of Martin Luther.
It is a thoughtful opportunity to better understand the historical and theological layers within the work.
Rooted in Community
La Jolla Symphony & Chorus remains one of San Diego’s most community-driven arts organizations. These musicians teach in our schools, work across the region, and volunteer their time to bring large-scale orchestral and choral works to life.
Their commitment to adventurous programming, world premieres, and music education continues to shape the cultural landscape of our city.
Pairing that spirit with San Diego Ballet’s imaginative approach to dance makes Passion & Devotion feel like a meaningful collaboration grounded in San Diego’s creative community.
See you there!
We love when music and movement come together in a way that feels thoughtful and distinctly San Diego. This one is worth experiencing inside that stunning cathedral setting.
📆 Saturday, March 14 & Sunday, March 15, 7:30 PM
📍 2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego
🎟️ Get tickets here
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!
