Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-19
- ELZACH. a charming village mes
Ting at the foot of the Weissen-
stein and encirced by verdant
meadows and forests OF a wonder

- ELZACH, a charming village mes
Ting at the foot of the Weissen-
stein and encirNed by verdant
4 meadows and forests OF wonder
full biuish-green tint, is where the
Swiss ObsramrneFgau, the passion ann
resurrection of Christ will be represented
every Sunday during June, July. August
and September.
While the origin of the passion play
performances in Switzerland is not based
on facts similar to those connected with
the origin of the Oberammergau perform
ances, the purpose Is nevertheless the
same and IL is moreover interesting to
know that the history of religious plays
in Switzerland can be traced back to
the early middle ages, when II was the
custom of certain monasteries to repre-
sent the Lords resurrection to their con-
gregations on Easter Sunday. Simple as
those Easter plays We're at first, they
gradually gained in value and inpor-
lance; more details were added from the
Bible history, until they included the
whole passion of the Savior.
a decline in the production of sacred
dramas made itself felt in the seven
teenth century. when the spirit of the
times, with It's change from ancient to
modern, exerted its influence on all
theatrical performances.
K
1t was thus reserved for the then un-
known village of Selzach, at the close
of the nineteenth century. to give new
life to passion play performances in
Switzerland The inhabitants of Selzach.
a simple and pious people, had for many
years in the past been accustomed to
devote the long winter evenings to the
study and rendering of religious plays
and oratorios and when A. Schlaf1i, one
of the pioneers in the village, went to
Oberammergau in 1880 the representation
made such an extraordinary impression
on him and his four companions that
they resolved that Seizach. with its
natural inclination for the REPRODUCTION
cess of the play In Switzerland. Numer-
Gus obstacles seemed at hrst to make
carrying out OF their plans iinposs be.
and II was only in the winter OF LOOP,
when the local choral society performed
the Christmas oratorio by Herring with
sucn an astonishing success that the viii
layers could be induced to attempt the
study of the great passion oratorio ny
the Rev. I'll. +. Muller of Fulua. The
first rendition Of the same took place In
the winter of 1893, and the results were
again so Unexpectedly briiildnt That even
the most t.mid ones could now be en-
couraged to set out for a still greater
venture.
The oratorio was consequently deyel-
oped into n dramatic reproduction, and
the first. representation of the same,
which was divided into morning and aft
ernoon parts, -ook place in 1885. in a
SPACIOUS theater, especially erected for
the purpose. The performances now
gained reputation which extended Tar
beyond the Swiss frontiers: the fervor
or these simple actors and their devout
NOBLE task caused wonder and admiration
on every part. This was no longer a
tlmid attempt OF amateurs, but II was
a performance offered by divinely In
spired payers.
In 1896. 1898, 1901. 1905 and 1909 the
ments on each occasion, were again re-
peated and SelZach is now universally
known as the Swiss Oberammergau.
A personal acquaintance with some Of
the principal characters seen in the per-
Torrance is undoubtedly a much coveted
privilege, and the writer was therefore
very glad to avail himself OF an oppor-
tunity that presented itself a few weeks
ago to spend a few hours In Selzach.
Some time ago the Passion Play man
agement issued instructions to the mas
culine players that they should refrain
from having their hair cut thereafter.
and Ii was thus a very pretty sight to see
the boys of different age and size. all with
flowing curls. and with an expression
In their young faces which denoted hap
piness. pride and a feeling OF RESPONSE
bility at the same time. All players. and
there are now over 400 Of them. deem II
a high honor TO be intrusted with a role
in the performance and it IL their one
and Constant daSira tn ahnu fhemaalvaa