Passion Play of Oberammergau 2010: Performances
PASSION PLAY ACTORS ANNOUNCED
On April 19, following an ecumenical service by Bishop Franz Dietl, the names of the actors for the Passion Play of Oberammergau 2010 were announced by the parish council in Oberammergau. Major roles will have two actors alternating in the role. In the next 10 months, the actors portraying Jesus, Mary, the apostles, Herod, soldiers and priests and other parts will be rehearsing the text, newly revised by Christian Stückl and Otto Huber.
PREPARING FOR THE PLAY
The actors will receive professional voice training and the orchestra and singers will begin rehearsing music created by the composer, Rochus Dedler, as well as new adaptations by music director Markus Zwink. New stage sets and costumes by Stefan Hageneier are also in the works. Over 2000 people — nearly half the population of the village — have parts in the production, either on stage or behind the scenes.
PLAY PERFORMANCES
There will be 103 performances of the 41st Passion Play in 2010. The first public performance of the Passion Passion Play 2010 will be on May 15. Over 500,000 spectators from around the world are expected to attend the performances.
The five-hour musical drama follows the life of Jesus from the time He entered Jerusalem through the Resurrection. Most of the Passion Play is sung opera-style with a full orchestra and chorus providing a rich musical backdrop.
The modern play takes place on an open-air stage with a covered auditorium seating 4,700. With a total cast of 1,000, the play boasts 130 speaking parts and hundreds of smaller parts. To be eligible for a role, the person must have either been born in Oberammergau or lived there 20 years.
Performance Schedule:
Dates:
Saturday, May 15 to Sunday, October 3, 2010.
Times:
The play will be performed in the afternoon and evening.
Tickets:
Nawas has received official confirmations for Play tickets directly from the Passion Play Committee in Oberammergau. We have one of the largest blocks of tickets with arrangements for every performance.
Play Information:
Producer: Christian Stückl, who directed the play in 1990 and 2000.
Musical Director/Conductor: Markus Zwink and Michael Bocklet. Markus Zwink, whose family has lived in Oberammergau since the 18th century, was the musical director in 1990 and 2000.
Music Composer: Rochus Dedler
Designer: Stefan Hageneier
Passion Play Facts: Virtually every villager's life is dominated by the play. More than 2,000 people are directly involved, both on and behind the stage. In addition to performers there are 50 members each in the orchestra and chorus, and many who work as set and costume designers, electricians, stagehands, etc. Still others cater to the thousands of visitors who come to see the play.
Key Dates:
Ash Wednesday 2009: The traditional "Hair Decree" - on this date all the male performers begin to let their hair and beards grow in preparation for their roles in the play.
April 2009: The leading actors were selected
May 15 - October 3, 2010: The 41st Passion Play is performed
