Passia by Liz Dilnot Johnson is a through-composed cantata which draws the audience into the thoughts and feelings of five women gathered at the foot of the cross: Christ’s mother; sisters Martha and Mary; Veronica; and Mary Magdala. Based on an original libretto by Sarah Meyrick with additional words by the poet Neta Shlain, Julian of Norwich and Byzantine abbess Kassia the composer creates a seamless tapestry of songs in ever-changing musical textures as the women, sung by the five professional singers of Papagena, interact. There is no narrator, but a sequence of contrasting memories and reactions to what is occurring in real time, as the women share and reveal their inner responses to unfolding events. Bells, chimes and resonant, ritualistic drums played by Papagena’s singers add mystery and solemnity to the soundworld, whilst a chorus of angels, sung by an upper voice choir, interject medieval plainchant and accompany Christ’s soul to Paradise with four joyful Angel Songs.