The Greatest Story ...
Quotes of the week
“The greatest story ever told is, in fact, the greatest story ever sold”
- Dan Brown, Connect Bible Studies: The Da Vinci Code
Judas: Every time I look at you I don't understand why you let the things you did get so out of hand? You'd've managed better if you'd had a plan. Why'd you choose such a backwards time in such a strange land? If you'd come today you would've reached a whole nation. Israel in 4 B.C. had no mass communication.
- From Jesus Christ Superstar
Hello,
I have had quiet days here in Innsbruck. Reading, writing, going for a walk, a restaurant, or just lingering in the beautiful café at the Wagner’sche bookshop, reading a book. Next week we are going to Bad Ischl, a spa resort outside Salzburg for the operetta festival. On the program, Der Vogelhändler (The Bird Seller) and Madame Pompadour. We have had a few cultural outings already. One was the film Oppenheimer which I talked about last week. This week it was the fantastic musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
Jesus Christ Superstar
I love this musical. I have listened to the music hundreds of time, almost know all the text by heart, but I have never seen it. Not even the film. I came with an open mind in other words. The show was performed at the Kufstein Fortress, so a beautiful setting and seats with a view over the city, the river and the mountains.
The rock opera was first introduced as an album, before becoming a musical on Broadway in 1971. The story, well-known from the Bible, is seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, and follows the last weeks of Jesus life. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music is a mix of rock, gospel, folk and funk music of the 1970s. It makes it into a livid, action filled and explosive musical. Tim Rice’s text is genius, I think. That the show is still on, even today, 50 years later, proofs it has not lost its charisma.
As with many older musicals, and even operas, these days, the setting is made into a modern one. This one was not very beautiful; containers, empty oil barrels, scaffolding with stairs and a rather bare scen. The beginning felt very weird and I even said to Martin, that if it continues like this, I will leave. I could not feel that it had anything to do with the actual musical. My mistake, since I did not know how it had been staged before. Afterwards, I did check out the original film and watched a few youtube videos.
Well, things changed. The music, so beautiful, makes you forget everything else. The singing and dancing were very good. It was all in German which made it difficult for me, but more for Martin. It is always difficult to hear the words even if you understand the language. At least I know the original text and story, but he did not. Except for the overall biblical history.
My favourite voice in the musical is that of Judas, originally sung by wonderful Murray Head. It is such a strong and dramatic voice, must be very difficult to sing, and it echoes around the arena. Even Jesus’ role/voice does come up to the same heights. Judas was sung by German artist Alex Melcher, who made a great performance, although the overall cast was very good. I am happy I finally got the see the musical.
On my blog this week
Two new posts:
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros - the most hyped book this year is a Fantasy book. Did I like it? Pop over to my blog and have a look.
New purchases - and a visit to a book shop café.
It's a wonderful piece of music and theatre. I'm glad you liked the production (after the bumpy start with the set!) Here's a true story. When I was younger I was in church choir and our director had trained in England. Before Superstar, he had the choir do a 35 minute cantata by Webber and Rice called "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (which was later expanded into a full musical.) Pharoah and Joseph had costumes and there was minor staging in our Gothic-style church. I remember him saying, after it all went down successfully, "These guys have another one they've written but I'm not sure our congregation is ready for it yet. It's called "Jesus Christ Superstar." Who knew? I think the world was ready!
On another note, Rick and I are going to see Oppenheimer today. Since I'm behind on my reading, I need to go back and find your words on this one!