Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15
Home of Anton Lang.

ana unique designs attract the attention on
all sides, giving assurance of the artistic
temperament of this community.
Oberammergau dates back to the time of
the early Romans, being one of the princi-
pal military stations the road from
Verona to Ausburg, and known as "Ad
Covelfacas." The station proper was situ-
ated on the Kofel. Upon the founding of
the Monastery Of Ettl in 1880 by the
Bavarian Emperor Ludwig Begins the pro-
gressive period of Oberammergau. AS this
village was a necessary stopping place for
merchants travelling between Italy and
Germany. 1t soon became a center of traf-
tic, and In consequence the education Of the
Inhabitants was broadened and their COM
mercial importance increased. Wars at
various periods retarded the progress of
this little village, but the undaunted perse-
verance of its Inhabitants made It possible
to rally from such disasters
1t was during the ravages Of the wars in
the first part of the seventeenth century
that the plague which swept over all Eu-
rope entered this town. So fatal was its
grasp that within month nearly 100 of the
villagers became the victims Or DEATH 1t
Is to this circumstance that the Passion
Play as we have 1t today dates its origin
The story Of the plague and the villagers
vow runs thus: Caspar Schuchler who
was working in the plague-stricken town
or Eschenlone. was possessed with an I'M
controllable desire to visit his family at
Oberammergau, which thus far had not
succumbed to the plague. Through some
oversight of the quarantine officials Caspar
once stricken with the fearful disease
Medical skill proved useless and the village
seemed to be destined to lose most of its in
napllants- IN their despair the people
turned TO COO. their only comforter In this
hopeless hour. They made VOW to per-
petuate the Passion of Christ by perform
Ing every decade the Passion Play If they
were delivered from further entertainments
OF the plague. The prayer was immediateIv
heard and answered. Those who were ill
recovered, and all traces of the disease dis
aPpearea at once No wonder that these
thanksgiving for their deIiverance. No
wonder that all energies are bent to per
form every decade this drama with due
a asaeaence ana careful conception of the
characters, and no wonder the Passion PLAY
Is the moving spirit and guiding star of the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS who live but to pernetu-
ate their VOW.
HeVfstOns of the Text,
The Passion Play dates back to the thir-
teenth century, when similar pIays were
prevalent in all Christian countries as n
means OF teaching the Bible to the unedu
Gated public; but the play as we have it to-
DAY had Its origin in 1854, after the deliver
ance OF the village from the plague. The
text OF the play has been revised at various
times, but that which Is in use now IL tho
work of Father Weiss and Josanb AIows
Dalsenberger. The music is the comnosition
OF the old school master. Rochus DedIer. of
alterations t1y
by Ferdinand Feldigl ue
me play was very crude in the Begin
nlns and there was almost no attempt a,
scenic enects, acting and costumes; but with
the ADVANCE or time the villagers have inn
proved their drama until today much of tho
accessories put to shame any production on
the American stage. Everything connected
WIN tne play Is the product of the mental,
moran and physical abilities of the people Of
Ooerammergau. For the first time the an
oience Is under shelter this year, but the
stage Is stun exposed to nature with the ex-
cepton of small portion In the center
where the tableaus and small scenes taks
place. 'eAAo
The play. which begins at 8 O'clock IN
the morning and closes at $50 with an
lntermission of one and half hours at
neon Tor dinner), Is COMPOSED Of seventeen
acts. which are interspersed by twentv-two
tableaux representing scenes from the Old
introduced by a chorus of thirty-dve the
prologue OF which is spoken Joseph Nave
the tmpersonator Of the Christus in 1870 |
lsdO. 1880. Throughout the entire play such
intense interest Is kept alive that the visitor
scarcely realizes that the performance has
lasted for eight hours. The Interpretation of |
the characters shows careful and Thought |
rui study. The gentleness and calm resig- |
nation OF Anton Lang as the Christus, the |
maternal devotion Of Anna F1unger as the |
Virgin Mary and the villainy of Johan |
Zwink as Judas are worthy Of the highest |
praise and may be taken as patterns for the |
rising actor. No less deserving of COM
ment are the characters Of John. Peter, |
Mary Magdalene, Caiaphas and Plate as |
portrayed by Peter Randi. Thomas Randi. !
Bertha Wolf, Sebastian Lang and Sebastian |
Bauer, respectively. The conscientious eff |
fort as displayed in the Passion Play plain |
ly shows that 1t is for the perpetuation Of |
the VOW of 1868 that the Oberammergauer |
Nves- From early childhood he or she is |
prepared morally. mentally and physically |
to be capable Of taking some part in this |
great drama.
The Charms Of the Village.
To fully appreciate this little village and |
its people the visitor should spend some |
time in the city Of the Passion Play. Hos |
pitafity and honesty are characteristics |
which are Unborn rather than acquired. |
Their homes are plain but comfortable. and |
they are ever ready to Inconvenience them |
selves In order that the pleasures Of their |
guests may not be hindered. It Is no uncom- |
mon sight during the summer OF the Pas
sion Play to see a family emerge In the /
early morning from . stable. In the loft OF J.