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3 minute read

A historical performance combining history, art and tradition in a beautiful mountain setting make this a once-in-a-lifetime trip

 


 

In the picturesque Ammer Valley in Germany’s Bavarian Alps, years of preparations are about to come to fruition. Every 10 years the village of  Oberammergau stages of one of the world’s most famous plays, The Passion Play, which re-enacts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

 

 

Although plays with this theme are performed worldwide, Oberammergau’s once-a-decade version is unique. To be in the play, you must be a resident of Oberammergau or have lived in the village for 20 years or more. Since the 2022 cast was announced men have grown out their hair and beards; choristers have been polishing their top and low notes; tailors and woodcarvers have been busy with sets and costumes, while hundreds more villagers – children included – have been learning lines.

The Passion Play of Oberammergau is part of the Intangible Heritage for  UNESCO. The origins of this extraordinary play began in 1633 when Oberammergau was struck down by the Great Plague. The inhabitants prayed for their lives to be spared, pledging in return an oath to perform a play every ten years depicting the trial, suffering and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The villagers have kept their vow since the first performance in 1634.

Today, the Passion Play draws a worldwide audience of around 500,000 to marvel at a cast of approximately 2,000 amateur actors – including the two men who will share the role of Jesus. There are 124 speaking roles, a 55-strong orchestra and hundreds of people involved behind the scenes including stagehands, tailors, firemen and ushers.

Solos Holidays has tickets! The postponement of the 42nd production of the play in 2020, due to the global pandemic, will make this year’s play even more special. From May to October over 100 performances of the five-hour play will be staged. The play is divided into twelve scenes, with scenes one to six and seven to 12 separated by a three-hour break. The scenery, music and acting on this, the world’s largest outdoor stage, will take your breath away.

 

 

Oberammergau is also famous for its woodcarving and fresco-adorned houses and this bucolic mountain setting, about an hour south of Munich, couldn’t be more beautiful. Linderhof Castle is a few kilometres away from the village and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wieskirche is one of the world’s most elaborate Rococo churches.

We combine this remarkable performance with a stay in the Bavarian capital, Munich, where there is a walking tour and free time to explore before our transfer arrives to take us to the Passion Play Theatre.

 


 

Don’t delay! The 42nd Oberammergau Passion Play will take place from 14 May to 2 October 2022. Don’t miss your chance to see this once-in-a-lifetime play. Book now to secure your place and a Category One ticket to the greatest show on Earth this summer. Visit www.solosholidays.co.uk or speak to one of our friendly team today on 0208 951 2900.

 

Oberammergau in numbers

More than 100 choristers will sing on the Passion Play stage

The play is almost 400 years old

Over 2,000 citizens are involved

There are 124 speaking roles

The world’s largest open-air stage holds about 5,000 spectators

There will be 55 instrumentalists in the orchestra pit

More than 400 children take part

Over 1,000 villagers converge on stage for the final scene

 

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“I’m sure you will enjoy it, I have been on three solos holidays to date and the people I’ve met have been great.”

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