The Mattheüs family with Edwin Rutten

The Luthers Bach Ensemble invites you to a unique, accessible introduction to Bach’s St Matthew Passion: the Mattheus Family. This special programme brings Johann Sebastian Bach’s masterpiece to life for a wide audience, from families and children to seasoned classical music enthusiasts. It is a perfect introduction to the world of Bach, in which story, music and experience come together in a captivating way.

The St Matthew Passion recounts the story of Christ’s Passion according to the Gospel of Matthew. In the ‘Mattheus Family’, this story is told clearly and accessibly by narrator Edwin Rutten, who guides the audience through the story from start to finish and explains the musical elements. In this way, both children and adults immediately understand what is happening in the music and what emotions Bach sought to convey through his arias, recitatives and chorales.

The Luthers Bach Ensemble, renowned for its historical performance practice, plays on Baroque instruments and employs authentic tempos and phrasing. Soloists, choir and orchestra bring the music to life just as Bach would have intended. Thanks to the combination of historical precision and accessible presentation, the St Matthew Passion sounds vibrant, expressive and compelling, whilst the narrative structure of the story comes across clearly.

What makes *The Mattheus Family* particularly special is that the programme has been designed as a compact performance lasting around 70 minutes, specifically tailored to a wide audience. Thanks to its condensed and accessible format, the essence and grandeur of Bach’s masterpiece are preserved, whilst the pace and commentary make the story easy to understand and engaging. In this way, classical music becomes accessible to young and old alike, without compromising on musical quality.

The ensemble enjoys widespread recognition in the Dutch classical music world. They are regularly featured on NPO Klassiek, have received rave reviews in *Trouw* and are well known from the television programme *Podium Klassiek*. This visibility underlines their reputation as one of the leading Baroque ensembles in the Netherlands, and attracts an audience that appeals to both new enthusiasts and seasoned Bach connoisseurs.

Experience the Mattheus Family for children and other adults: historical, lively and captivating – a baroque experience of the highest calibre.