BWV 205 ‘Zerreißet, zersprenget, zertrümmert die Gruft’ with an unusually rich instrumentation. Neither the choir and four vocal soloists nor an orchestra with lots of woodwind, brass and percussion are missing. For what? To celebrate the name day of a Leipzig university professor called Müller. Friedrich August, after all. And a professor of logic and philosophy. It can be assumed that this was probably a well-paid commission for Johann Sebastian Bach and his librettist Picander. In any case, they didn't let themselves get carried away. BWV 205 is pompous, dramatic, witty and amusing. How should one perform such a work? Holy seriousness, as in the church cantatas, would be out of place; mischievousness and musical joy are more appropriate. What does this baroque short opera offer today's audience? Cheerful musical enjoyment, light-hearted pleasure.