Saint Matthew's Passion concert in Goulburn unites quality line-up

Dr Paviour will conduct JS Bach’s Saint Matthew’s Passion, a famous work detailing Christ’s last week on earth.

He has assembled a host of singers, soloists and instrumentalists for the concert to be held at Sts Peter and Paul’s Cathedral at 2.30pm.

They include some 70 to 80 singers spread across three choirs. They are the Goulburn Occasional Singers, (formerly the Goulburn Consort of Voices), the 30-strong Woden Valley Youth Choir and the Alfresco Jubilo choir from Goulburn Regional Conservatorium.

They will be accompanied by tenor soloist and former federal diplomat, John Lander, who is also the narrator, soprano soloist Imogen Faith-Malfitano, and bass soloist, Grant Diffey. 

Ms Faith-Malfitano has an impressive background. In 2016, she performed the soprano solo in Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (SCM), was a finalist in The Opera Foundation’s Lady Fairfax New York Scholarship, Joan Sutherland Memorial Award and reserve finalist in the Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Scholarship.

She was also awarded an encouragement prize from the Bel Canto Foundation as well as the honour of singing in Maestro Richard Bonynge’s 2016 Masterclass. 

Dr Paviour has brought together many of the people he has worked with over the years. They also include Sydney organist Heather Boyd, who is well known to Goulburn music lovers.

“It will be one of the biggest musical events in Goulburn for some time,” Dr Paviour said.

The concert is in honour of two women who contributed much to Goulburn’s music culture – Dr Paviour’s late wife, Margaret, and the late Moira Sheridan, who had a close association with Sts Peter and Paul’s Cathedral, where her brother Father Laurie Blake was a parish priest.

Tickets will be available at the door and cost $20 for adults, $15 concession, school children free.