 In
1633 the Black Plague rampaged through Europe,
killing thousands. For months, the small village of
Oberammergau managed to keep the dreaded disease at
bay, mainly because of its remote location in the
Bavarian Alps. Eventually the epidemic struck the
nearby town of Ettal. The people of Oberammergau,
however, controlled the spread of the disease by
keeping close watch and preventing strangers from
entering their village. Alas, late one evening a
villager who had been away, homesick for his family,
stole back into the town and unknowingly brought the
plague to his people. Within a few months 84
villagers had died.
In July 1633 the survivors gathered and made a
solemn oath to God: if He spared them from further
deaths, they would perform every ten years a
day-long play depicting Jesus’ death and
Resurrection. According to the story passed down
through the generations, God heard them and there
were no more deaths. In 1634 the townspeople
performed their Passion Play for the first time.
Eventually their vow was adopted by their children
and their descendants. To this day, the villagers of
Oberammergau have kept their promise virtually
unbroken.
 Drawing
crowds from all over the world, the Passion Play of
Oberammergau is a musical drama of epic dimensions.
It is staged every 10 years from May to October and
renowned as the longest running play in history. The
first public performance of the Passion Play 2010
will be May 15.
The 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 one thousand, 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.
The Passion Play 2010 will be based on the text by
Alois Daisenberger and directed by Christian Stückl,
who also directed the play in 2000. Markus Zwink
returns as Musical Director. Both have deep roots in
Oberammergau; it was Zwink’s ances- tor who in the
late 18th century painted the delightful frescoes
adorning the buildings and houses throughout the
village.
Virtually everyone’s life is dominated by the play
more than 2,000 villagers are directly involved,
both on and behind the stage. In addition to the
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.
All in all, the Passion Play of Oberammergau is a
day of music, high drama, celebration and reflection
that will leave you with renewed faith and
affirmation of the importance of Jesus’ life and
Resurrection.
To book the tours
below you can follow the links for reserve online or
call our groups department for assistance (800)
592-0455.
Rates
Are Per Person Based On Double Occupancy.
Click Here For Print Brochure
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