Sat, 28 Mar 2026 20:00

Elbphilharmonie Großer Saal

Bach: Johannes-Passion / Klaas Stok

NDR Vokalensemble / Concerto Köln / Sebastian Kohlhepp

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This concert has already taken place! €15 | 23 | 42 | 59 | 69

Doors open 18:30
Pre-concert talk 19:00
Start 20:00
End ca. 22:20

Vivid timbres and enchanting choral arrangements

It is the first courtroom drama in history. In Johann Sebastian Bach’s St John Passion, Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate to answer for his actions while the Jews gathered outside demand his death. The St Thomas cantor created a gripping tragedy from the sparse Gospel, which is still one of the most dramaturgically effective works in music history. Bach translated the almost scenic plot into vivid tonal colours. The orchestral prelude opens the inexorable sequence of capture, condemnation and crucifixion with disturbing dissonances, before leading into an enchanting choral movement in praise of God.

While the Evangelist leads us through the events in the words of the Old Testament, Johann Sebastian Bach added further verses as the basis for expressive arias and choral movements. To the sounds of the early music ensemble Concerto Köln, led by Klaas Stok, the members of the NDR Vokalensemble emerge from the choir rows. As in the highly acclaimed performance of Bach’s »Christmas Oratorio« in the Great Hall of the Elbphilharmonie in 2023, they will once again perform numerous solo parts. NDR was once again able to secure the sought-after tenor Sebastian Kohlhepp as the Evangelist. He already performed with the NDR Vokalensemble for a subscription concert in 2025 and is a regular guest at the Salzburg Festival.

Performers

NDR Vokalensemble

Concerto Köln

Sebastian Kohlhepp tenor

Solist:innen des NDR Vokalensembles

director Klaas Stok

Programme

Johann Sebastian Bach
Johannes-Passion, BWV 245

Pre-Concert Talk

with Eva Schramm (in German)

19:00 / Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal

Subscription

NDR Vocal Ensemble

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Series

Easter at the Elbphilharmonie

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Promoter: NDR

Location : Elbphilharmonie
Großer Saal

Heart of the Elbphilharmonie: the Grand Hall seats 2,100 guests in the »vineyard« style. The stage for artists and orchestras is situated at the centre of the concert hall and is surrounded by terraced seating.

Arrival time

The Elbphilharmonie is a special building situated in a special place. Allow for plenty of time for getting to the Elbphilharmonie and the way to the concert area. We suggest visitors arrive at the Elbphilharmonie Plaza not later than 30 minutes before the start of the concert or event. Late seating is not guaranteed and latecomers may not be admitted to the concert hall.

Concert tickets for the Grand and Recital Halls authorise a visit to the Plaza from two hours before the start of the concert or event. Visitors to the Kaistudios require a separate Plaza ticket to visit the Plaza.

Admission times:

Events without pre-concert talk:
Grand Hall Foyer: 60 minutes before the start of the event
Grand Hall: 30 minutes before the start of the event

Events with pre-concert talk:
Grand Hall Foyer: 90 minutes before the start of the event
Grand Hall: 15 minutes before the start of the talk

If a pre-concert talk is offered for this event, it is noted above under PROGRAMME.
Getting here

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Platz der Deutschen Einheit
20457 Hamburg

The Elbphilharmonie can be easily reached by bus, underground, bicycle and ferry.

The nearest stops include:
Underground line U3: Baumwall
Underground line U4: Überseequartier
Bus 2, 111: Am Kaiserkai (Elbphilharmonie)
Bus 6: Auf dem Sande (Speicherstadt)
Ferry 72 (from Landungsbrücken pier): »Elbphilharmonie« pier
StadtRAD (bicycle sharing system) stations: U Baumwall (Elbphilharmonie) and Am Kaiserkai / Großer Grasbrook

Multistorey car park in the Elbphilharmonie (open 24/7, 435 parking spaces):
Please note that visitors to the Elbphilharmonie should use the entrance marked »Elbphilharmonie«. The entrance »Elbphilharmonie Hotel« is reserved for »The Westin Hamburg« hotel guests.

Please find more information about prices and advance booking of the discounted flat rate on this page: arrival by car
Finding your seat

All visitors enter the building via the main entrance; access to the concert hall is via the »Plaza«, the viewing platform on the 8th floor of the Elbphilharmonie. The Plaza can be reached from the entrance area via the long escalator. Your tickets will be checked twice, at the access control in the entrance area and on the Plaza in front of the staircase to the Great Hall.

The hall entrances are on floors 12, 13, 15 and 16.
Cloakroom

The cloakrooms are located on the 11th floor (fee: € 2). Jackets and handbags may be taken into the hall.

Walking-stick umbrellas, bags sized A3 (42 x 30 cm) or above, luggage and other bulky items must be stored in the lockers (largest size 27 x 87 x 47 cm) located in the corridor leading to the ticket shop on the ground floor (on the right-hand side of the entrance area).

Strollers and prams can be left with the admissions personnel on the Plaza. Wheeled walkers can be handed in at the hall entrances.
Toilet Facilities

The central toilet facility is located on the 13th floor of the Grand Hall Foyer. Further facilities can be found on floors 11, 12 and 15.

Fully accessible toilets are located on floors 12 (north side) and 13 (right-hand side of the large bar). Our front-of-house staff is happy to assist you in this regard.
Coughing, clapping, chatting – Tips for your concert visit

A concert at the Elbphilharmonie is a unique experience for both audience and artists. Guests and musicians alike rave about the precise acoustics in the Grand Hall. You can hear every note, even from the highest balcony.

Unfortunately, the opposite is also true: even presumably quiet noises from the audience are clearly audible in the entire hall. We therefore ask our visitors to take the following recommendations into consideration: Tips for your concert visit
Photography and video recordings

It is forbidden to take photographs or record videos during a concert or event. Video recordings and photography are permitted for private purposes only on the Plaza and in the foyers as well as before the start or following an event in the concert hall, provided that you respect the privacy of other visitors and do not interfere with regular business operations. Employees may not be photographed or filmed.

Photography, audio or video recordings of concerts and events are strictly prohibited.

Event-related video recordings or photographs for editorial or commercial purposes must be authorised by the Press Office of the Elbphilharmonie.
Accessibility

All halls and spaces are accessible for visitors with disabilities. More information at www.elbphilharmonie.de/en/accessibility.

Lifts to the Plaza are located in the tunnel on the right-hand side of the Tube (long escalator). From the Plaza, access to the Grand and Recital Hall foyers is via lifts, also located to the right. Please note: cloakrooms for visitors to the Grand Hall are only located on the 11th floor. From there, the upper floors can be accessed via further lifts.

Bach: Johannes-Passion / Klaas Stok

Vivid timbres and enchanting choral arrangements

Performers

Programme

Pre-Concert Talk

Subscription

Series

During your visit

Elbphilharmonie Plaza

Food and Drink

Coughing, clapping, chatting