York Minster will host a new series of concerts featuring the city’s top choirs performing classical works by JS Bach, Allegri, Jacob Handl and Pergolesi.

The Festival of Passions is in preparation for Holy Week, and its highlight will be the Minster Choir’s performance of the St John Passion by JS Bach on March 23.

The festival launches on March 9 with the St Matthew Passion by Bach performed by the York Musical Society, followed by the Chapter House Choir’s Passiontide Splendours.

Closer to Holy Week, Ebor Singers will perform a concert on Wednesday, March 20, incorporating Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, and Music for Holy Week by Victoria.

York Minster’s Precentor, Peter Moger said the event would be a “sublime and moving experience”.

Tickets are from York Minster Box Office at yorkminster.org, on by phoning 0844 939 0015, or for collection from York Minster’s admission desk.