Influential German poet Barthold Heinrich Brockes reinvented the Passion oratorio tradition, transforming its textures into a much-admired poetic meditation that took hold of the imagination of many German Baroque composers. Of several settings, Handel’s is by far the most famous, creating an eloquent and moving score from his friend’s libretto. This acclaimed staged version, directed by Walter Sutcliffe, extends the vision of the original by asking fundamental questions about the evolution of mankind and its dangerous implications for planet Earth.