It’s almost Easter. We found three very different pieces to tell the story of Good Friday.
Listen to the beautiful Matthew Passion by Johan Sebastian Bach, watch the musical Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber or sing-along with Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
Bach’s St. Matthew Passion
Since the ending of World War II in the Netherlands, every year this classical piece was performed at the Concertgebouw in the days before Easter. Due to the outbreak of the corona-virus this will be the very first time it will not be performed. Luckily we can watch and listen to this registration of the concert performed in 2019.
On YouTube-channel Het Concertgebouw.
Jesus Christ Superstar
Director Laurence Connor presents this contemporary re-imagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's legendary rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar. The world renowned phenomenon portrays the story of the last seven days of Christ leading up to his crucifixion as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Filmed as an arena rock opera, the performance features a star-studded line-up which includes award-winning musical comedian, Tim Minchin as the role of Judas Iscariot; pop icon and former Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene; radio DJ Chris Moyles in his stage debut as King Herod; and Ben Forster, to take on the title role of Jesus. This award-winning creative team is sure to captivate audiences and transform the hugely popular stage production into a unique, modern, state-of-the-art spectacular.
As of April 10 on YouTube-channel The Show Must Go.
Monthy Python’s Life of Brian
Monty Python delivers the group's sharpest and smartest satire of both religion and Hollywood's epic films. Set in 33 A.D. Judea where the exasperated Romans try to impose order, it is a time of chaos and change with no shortage of messiahs and followers willing to believe them. At it's center is Brian Cohen, born in Bethlehem in a stable next door, who, by a series of absurd circumstances is caught up in the new religion and reluctantly mistaken for the promised messiah, providing ample opportunity for the entire ensemble (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin) to shine in multiple roles as they question everyone and everything from ex-lepers, Pontius Pilate and haggling to revolutionaries, crazy prophets, religious fanaticism, Roman centurions and crucifixion, forever changing our biblical view.
Watch it on Netflix. Watch the trailer here!