St. John Passion: “Zerfliesse, mein Herze”

Bach’s St. John Passion recounts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as told in the Gospel of St. John, through dramatic choruses, contemplative chorales, theatrical recitatives, and moving, introspective arias. Coming toward the end of the Passion, the soprano aria, “Zerfliesse mein Herze” (Melt, my heart, in floods of tears) is an emotional reaction to the death of Christ, illustrated through the doleful oboe da caccia and sobbing vocal effects.