SKIPTON Camerata is to perform Bach's stunning oratorio the St John Passion at Skipton Town Hall, on Friday, April 14.

It is described by conductor and founder of the Skipton Building Society sponsored archestra, Ben Crick, as a "masterpiece - one of the greatest of them all."

Joining him and the orchestra are the Leeds University Clothworkers' Consort with the role of the evangelist being sung by the tenor Richard Rowe who comes to Skipton following recent principle roles at English National Opera, Scottish Opera and the Royal Albert Hall.

Ben says: "This year we’re playing several works that really are masterpieces and this first one is perhaps the greatest of them all.

"There are a few times in music where a composer’s emotional, musical and ideological intelligence all come together to create a work that embodies all these elements."

Dr Bryan White, Clothmakers' chorus master, said: "We always love performing with the Skipton Building Society Camerata, both for the technical professionalism of the players but also the thoughtful way they approach the scores we’re working on.

"It’s not going to be ‘just another St John’ but a performance that lets us see the work in a new light."

People wanting tickets should go to the website at skiptoncamerata.com. Season tickets are available giving four concerts for the price of three.