The daily gazette., 1880-11-02
Our European Letter.
The Passion Play as Seen by a
DeiaWaTean.
Special correspondence of the Gazette,
MUNICH, Sept. 5th, 1880.

We have just seen the Ober-Am-
mergau passion Play under the
most favorable auspices, and feel
how unequal we are TO give a realiz-
ing account of it to readers so far
away and so little acquainted with
the place and the people.
The town of Ober-A is in
the heart of the Bavarian APPS, a
few miles north of the Tyrol and
about fifty miles south Of Munich,
amid scenery almost as sublime as
that Of the Swiss Alps. 1t is reach
ed from Munich by rail to Mornau
forty miles, and thence by carriage
forty miles, over mountains, through |
vallies and by charming lakes and |
waterfalls.
The town, distinctly Swiss in ar
chltecture, contains about sixteen
hundred inhabitants, and nestles in
green valley that Is literally over
shadowed by mountains whose peaks
are amid the clouds. The theatre
in which the play is represented is,
for the most part uncovered, and
will seat about seven thousand per
sons.
There are about FIVE hundred COW
cred seats,which are of greatly su-
perior character, being cane seat
chairs with backs, whilst all the
others are simply benches without
backs. The orchestra of 80 pieces
occupy a sunken position in front of
the stage, and are out of sight of the
audience. The choir consists of 10
singers, and the performers number
about 600. The stage is sufficiently
large to accommodate all the play
ers without crowding and is exposed
without cover.
The dressing and retiring rooms
back of the stage, are ample and are
neatly painted. Over the theatre
the mountain rises on two sides to
majestic height, and are constantly
in view of The spectators.
The Play was first performed here
in 1888, after the plague had devasta-
ted the place, when the survivors
made a sacred vow that they would
perform the Death of Christ every
ten years which VOW has been
faithfully adhered to up to the pres
ent time. 1t has now become so
far-famed that multitudes from all
parts Of the world flock here peri
odically to witness the wonderful
performances of the peasants, who
enter into the play with a religious
zeal and fervor that gives it an
indescribable interest.
AT o'clock on Sunday morning a
number of small cannon are fired.
) AT four, a band of music proceeds
through the town and awakens the
sleepers. We were up before six to
see the procession Of mountainers
coming in from all quarters on foot,
on horseback, in carriages of all de-
scriptions, q curious and motley
crowd some to attend church, few
to see the Representation, but the
greater part to barter their wares
, Some old women had stoves and
cooking tools, some had loads of cake
and black loaves, while the men had
fruit, sticks and the skins of animals
they had killed on the mountains
- while one fellow stalked about with
something like half bushel of AL
pine flowers fastened, in some way
about his hat.
at eight O'Clock three cannon
shots were fired, and the perform
ance began.
Before this time the vast audience
had found their appropriate seats
and we only saw one seat vacant
This was the purple cushioned seat
of the King and was Immediately
before us. At our right sat the
Arch Bishop of Munich, and many
dignitaries of the Church.
The air was still, the heavens
cloudless, and the bright sunshine
simmered down on the stage over
which the butterflies gaily sported
The choir, in their new and bright
garments, came upon the stage ant
sang the recitative, during which the
curtain rises and two tableauX are
shown.
} The expulsion of our first parents
| from Paradise, and Abraham's Sa
crifce on Mount Moriah. These
are the Old Testament types, one ol
more of which precede every repre-
!, sentation, but which we will be for
ced to omit for want of space.
The singing proceeds all the time
Z with wonderful effect, for "whilC
they sing they are praying, and while
they pray they are singing" observ
e ed an old gentleman at our side.
The first Act represents
CHRIST S ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM.
y There are three hundred character
} on the stage. Christ is riding on al
ass, and the people hail Him with rap
ture and strew palms in His way. TIL,
, High Priests and Scribes stand apar
and exhibit anger and jealousy.
Christ dismounts, walks into the
Temple where He finds "buyers anC
II sellers and money changers, and over
throws their tables, and drives out the
traders, saying my House is a House
p of prayer, but ye have made it Il del
of thieves"
The curtain falls on scene of wilt
excitement.
!. ACT II.
Annas and Caiphas preside at thu
High Council held to consider tho
great event of the day, the triumpha
entry of Christ. He is eagerly accused
by an angry and excited multitude
"All the World have gone after Him,
they cry. "The Romans will come
. to take away our place and nation,
and they conclude sit is better tina
hall lin tha1 fba xulaola