New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-08

solemn
of the New Testament.
1t is novelty to find this sacred drama given by
PEASANTS it is merely relic of the earlier ages 1t
is combination, as it were, of the theater and the
church-an artistic performance, actuated by the
purest religious motives. The origin of religious
drama in the Christian Church is certainly as early
as the second century During that and the follow
ing century many of the Bible scenes were drama
TIED. Among these was, for example, the Passion
play (Christos Paschon), ascribed to Gregory of
Nazianzum.
We have many proofs of the rapid and wide
spreading taste that existed for these dramas even
before the fifth century, and in the tenth century
we find the very popular religious dramas of Hros-
witha. The exact date, however, at which these
plays were put upon the stage is lost in the mpene-
trable gloom of the Dark Ages; but there exists
proof that they were given in Bohemia and Thurin-
ga In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
The subjects of these mysteries" or miracle plays
were taken from both the Old and New Testament
and from the lives of the saints the New Testament
being generally preferred. The actors were for a
long time priests only, and when it became neces-
sary, from the greater number Of parts to introduce
the laty, it only to fill the minor positions and
the clergy still continued to act the principal roles
such as those of Christ and the Apostles.
Little by little abuses crept in, and some plays
written by the laity contrary to the dogmas of
the Church, that the pure faith of many listeners
was shaken. CORES relates that during represen-
tation of the Mysteries at Eisenach, the five
foolish virgins asked their companions in vain for
some oil. They were then shut out by the bride
groom, and began weeping and begging the aid OF
the saints but neither the saints nor the virgin
Mary able to bring about the reprieve OF Their
condemnation. The Landgrave of Thurngia seeing
Had oul
What does this Christian faith amount to if God
cannot be moved by the interceson of Mary and the
Saints And it was only says the grave chronicler'
after five days of fierce struggle with his doubts that
the LandgTave was brought to true understanding
of the Scriptures through the efforts of the learned
doctors" So it took day apiece to convince HIM
about the virgins.
Although the subjects Of these religious dramas
were always taken from Scripture, yet the charac-
ters and their language are often purely imaginative
allegoTica
1t happens frequently that the liveest scenes and
most interesting dialogues are wholly the invention
of the author The "Zeitschrt fir deatsches Alter
Mum" gives the following song which translate
from the Old German. Mary Magdalene, who is still
sinner comes upon the stage with Lucfer and sew
eral other devils who all praise her beauty in the
highest terms Mary is not in the least disconnected
by their praise but is rather pleased with it, and
sings TO them in response
will deck out my form,
I'm woman 70 faiT
And will dance just turn
With layma3 or Iriar;
For / love to be springng,
Aud jolly song singing.
spread my unantel in the field,
And my lady begins TO ask
Where have been so very long
What business is it Of hersl
Shall not make free
With my body, I'll see
Martha next appears and bosecches Mary to repent
but Mary sings gaily
Take care of thine own sOu, sister dear,
l VIII let thee with all my heart
But Will be happy and gay
And, therefore, earnestly pray
That thou wilt go thy heavenly way,
Aud not beg me 10 repent any more,
But leave me, for thou art becoming pore
Shortly afterward the repentance OF Mary Magda-
lene is brought about, and she is represented very
much rs Correggio and Batton have given her to us
ON canvas But none of these episodes occur Ill the
passion play as it is now given at AmmeIgan.
The present text is written strictly i'll accordance
with the Bible 1t was carefully revised about lolo
by monk named Weiss.
The music for the chorus and orchestra was com
posed bv Dedler, the village schoolmaster' and III
nan, narts does credit to true master of cOmpo-
sitiOn.
The orioin Of the Ammergau play is much more
ocul;sr than most Of the others, for in 1893 pes
+iIence resulting from the Thirty Years War ragged
+brouob the TyrOl even to the secluded village OF
Oberammergau where 50 persons died within a
month The pious and superstltlous peasants theh
took a vow to represent the Passion OF CHRIST every
10 years if the plague should be removed, ana AFTER
that day. according TO tradition, no death occurred
The play was given accordingly in the following
year 1854 for the first time and was continued every
tenth wear until 1774 when the Prince Archbishop OF
salzburg-under whose jurisdiction Ammergau fell
ha1n TrOfn
ludicrous distracting inducing ntemperance on ae-
count of the large cOncourse of people, ana exposing
the Church TO the ridcule of free thinkers.
The measures taken by the secular authorities to
mt this decree of suppression into effect were so
vigorous that almost every representation OF the
kind WAS discontinued. That at Ammergau owing
probably to its peculiar origin was still gwen not
withstanding all opposition But, III 1870 the Abbey
of Etta founded by Louis of Bavaria, and situated
at the head of the pass became secularzed and the
paasants lost its ecclesiastical support The renewed
efforts of the Munich authorities again very nearly
effected the entire suppression OF the passlonpay;
but a depHtation of the determined peasants pushed
tbcir way TO the very throne of Max Joseph, then
reipning in Bavaria, and obtained from him special
pe1ssion for its further continuance and it is owing
to this that the play is given with more attempt
t elaboration and perfection than anywhere else Ill
Europe The theater stands III large field, just out
side the village has roof aud is put UP and taken
down for each decennial representation. The stage
consists of broad open space, 81 feet wide and ~
deep which is in front of the drOp-cnfan and occu-
MED bv the chorus. Immediately behind this
VordeyLshne or front stage is another with all the
usual appointments of theater, having on either
side balcony street running back, and pillars at
the extreme end The auditorium is oblong, and
furnished only with wooden benches and will seat