Despite all commercial evidence to the contrary, Easter, not Christmas, is the most important holiday in Christianity. Since the Middle Ages, Christians have observed this important time with Passion plays, dramatic presentations of the final events in the life of Jesus of Nazareth: his trial and execution at the hands of the Roman authorities and his resurrection from the dead.
For the third consecutive year, Bay Area residents are offered an exciting opportunity to experience a modern version of this ancient art form. “Lamb of God” has been called a “joyful effort of the interfaith community”; it will be presented in a number of free performances during its limited run in March and April.
Although featuring the Oakland-based Temple Hill Choir and members of the Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra, this oratorio has strong ties to the South Valley community because its executive producer and musical director, Alan Chipman, is a Morgan Hill resident, as are producer Greg Casper, associate conductor James Chipman and several members of the choir.
The music was composed by Rob Gardner, who has written for movies, television, and the concert stage. After graduating from Brigham Young University, he did graduate study in music composition at the University of Southern California’s Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program.
“Lamb of God,” based on accounts in the four Gospels, tells the story of the last days of Jesus through those who knew and loved him. Among the unique features of the work are that no actor portrays Jesus, whose voice is represented by a solo cello. Also, where the choir sings in underscore, they use Aramaic, the archaic language of Jesus and his disciples.
The music is as majestic as its subject matter; it is performed by 13 soloists and a choir of 120 voices, accompanied by a 40-instrument orchestra. Visitors to last year’s event have called it “unforgettable,” and “inspiring.” Conductor Alan Chipman describes “Lamb of God” as “ the most significant and impactful work I have directed in 40 years-just today one person in the choir called it ‘life-changing … the music and message touch the heart.’”
Free admission will be available at three different venues; tickets allowing early seating can be ordered online at LambofGodOakland.com.
• Roman Catholic Cathedral of Christ the Light, 2121 Harrison St., Oakland, on March 24 at 7:30 p.m.
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Interstake Center, 4780 Lincoln Ave., Oakland, on March 29 at 7:30 p.m., March 30 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and March 31 at 7:30 p.m.
• St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Cathedral, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco, on April 14 at 7:30 p.m.
This interfaith musical event kicks off the annual Interfaith Community Blood Drive in cooperation with the American Red Cross through the month of July (when many people are on vacation, making solicitation of blood donations very difficult).
In Christian doctrine, Jesus is considered the Lamb of God who sacrificed his blood to redeem all humans from sin; this hearkens back to the Old Testament story of Exodus when the Jews were saved from the Angel of Death by sacrificed lamb’s blood marked on their doorways. The American Red Cross calls donating blood “the gift of life”; Last year, 12 faith groups sponsored blood drives throughout Northern California, from Ukiah to Salinas. While this year’s drives don’t have the same geographic reach, organizers are hoping to continue to provide critical blood supplies like last year’s effort when nearly 4,000 units were collected. For information about donating as part of this event, visit www.redcrossblood.org.
