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OBERAMMERGAU 2010

until 3rd October 2010 - the 41st Passion Play

A promise. Living history. A once-in-a-decade experience!

Ever since 1633, Oberammergauers have honoured a pledge made to God when they were saved, through prayer, from war, poverty and bubonic plague. The Passion Play has been staged every decade for almost 400 years and only villagers are allowed to take part.

This will happen, yet again, in 2010!
They devote a year of their lives to re-enacting the life, death and resurrection of Christ.
The person who plays Jesus is a psychologist in real life... The person who plays Mary Magdalene is a flight attendant...
Like everyone else in the village, 'Jesus' and 'Mary' are ordinary people….
as Oberammergauers have been for over 375 years…..

2 Night Package	OR 8 Day Trips
-from €1279 per person (Hotel & ticket only: €669 pp) -Flights to /from Munich -2 Nights in an Oberammergau hotel on B&B twin-sharing -Tranfers -Cat. A Ticket for Passion Play -1 Lunch and 2 Dinners -Taxes / Insurance extra and will be quoted at time of enquiry -DEPARTURE DATES OBERAMMERGAU: -September 11 & 20	-(1) From €1439 pp ST. JOHANN AND OBERAMMERGAU -(2 From €1659 pp LAKE GARDA AND OBERAMMERGAU -DEPARTURE DATES 2-CENTRES ON REQUEST

The Production
The Passion Play demonstrates an impressive community effort, both, the production team and the cast are from Oberammergau or have lived there for at least 20 years.

As in 1990 and 2000, the 2010 production is directed by Christian Stückl - he also manages Munich's outstanding Volkstheater.
He is supported by the artistic team that also staged the Passion Play in 2000: deputy director and dramatic adviser Otto Huber, set and costume designer Stefan Hageneier and music directors Markus Zwink and Michael Bocklet.
The Music
The play includes two hours of glorious music, performed by a 60-strong orchestra and a choir. Combined with the impressive acting, the 200-year-old score gives the Oberammergau Passion Play its powerful and emotional impact.

The Composer
Rochus Dedler, born in Oberammergau in 1779, composed the music for the Passion Play. After his musical education in Munich and Rottenbuch he returned to Oberammergau where he lived and worked as a teacher, a church musician and composer until his death in 1822. He was a noted, gifted musician highly regarded for his sacred compositions.
No evidence exists as to how much Dedler's Passion Play score was drawn from earlier performances of the Play but it is likely that he was influenced by the music of Mozart and Joseph and Michael Haydn. Some of his melodies have been likened to Weber's or Schubert's Romantic expressiveness.
Whilst there have been several adaptations of his music in the intervening years the music performed during the Passion Play is still based on Dedler's original score.

Musical Director - Markus Zwink
Markus Zwink, musical director of the 2000 and 2010 Passion Plays has adapted and re-arranged Dedler's music and has also composed new music to accompany some new tableaux vivants from the Old Testament for the 2010 performance.
A descendant of an Oberammergau family going back to the 18th century, Markus Zwink was born in the village in 1956 and studied music at the Mozarteum, Salzburg and the Munich Music Academy. Since 1984 he has been Head of Music in Oberammergau.

The Village

Just 62 miles to the south of Munich is the village of Oberammergau, set in the lush meadows and foothills of the Bavarian Alps. The village has grown up alongside the River Ammer and today is home to some 5,300 inhabitants. It looks like a typical, small Bavarian village, but it is special. Set in the Ammer River valley, Oberammergau lies amidst unspoiled, beautiful scenery
It is a pretty village, with leafy parks and typical Bavarian houses - their carved wooden balconies and gardens bright with summer flowers. Many of the buildings are noted for their very special and ornately painted exteriors, some of them dating back to the 18th century. These Lüftlmalerei, or frescoes, are usually religious themes or scenes from fairytales.
Oberammergau is famous for its woodcarvers and its Passion Play, performed every 10 years in the purpose-built theatre. There are regular guided tours of the theatre. Also worth a visit are the Pilatushaus to see craftsmen at work and the museum with its fine examples of folk art and woodcarvings and unique collection of Hinterglasbildern - paintings on the back of glass.
The villagers are passionate about music and theatre; apart from folk groups, the village also boasts a brass band and orchestra as well as a choral and music society.
Apart from being rich in art, culture and tradition, Oberammergau also has the friendliest of people and a great reputation for hospitality.

Thousands of visitors flock to Oberammergau every 10 years to see the village's famous Passion Play.
However, even when the Play is not being performed there is plenty to see and do in this pretty village and the surrounding Ammergau region.
Oberammergau is situated in Bavaria, in the south of Germany, near to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, famous for its winter sports attractions such as skiing or ski jumping, with the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, and the Austrian border a few kilometres away.
Close to Oberammergau are a number of enchanting lakes, like the Staffelsee or Kochelsee, set amidst the beautiful Bavarian scenery.
There is also the church of Wies (Wieskirche) in Steingaden, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The former abbey of the Steingaden Premonstratensians was founded in the 12th century. The somewhat plain exterior of the church does not prepare the visitor for the splendour and magnificence of the rich and shimmering interior.
Also high on the list of places to visit are Ettal and Linderhof Palace and for sheer relaxation one of the region's spas.

2-NIGHT PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Return flights to Munich from Dublin
2 nights accommodation on B&B basis in Oberammergau
Coach transfers from/to airport/hotel
Dinner at hotel on first evening
Category A ticket to the Passion Play
Passion Play booklet as a keepsake
Lunch and dinner before/during the performance

8-DAY PACKAGES INCLUDE:
Return flights to Munich from Dublin
5 nights in (1) St. Johann or (2)Barbarano di Saló (Lake Garda)
One excursion to (1) Salzburg or (2) Venice
2 nights accommodation on B&B basis in Oberammergau
Coach transfers from/to airport/hotel
Dinner at hotel on first evening
Category A ticket to the Passion Play
Passion Play booklet as a keepsake
Lunch and dinner before/during the performance
DEPARTURE DATES: 11 August St.Johann; 16 August Lake Garda; 18 August St. Johann

EXTRAS:
Taxes – as these can fluctuate, they will be quoted at time of booking – they currently stand at approximately €70 per person
Insurance – please ask for a quote if required
Optional excursions – and certain entry fees

DEPOSIT: €300 PER PERSON

T: 01-8335100 | E: rory@rorymcdyertravel.ie | A: 49 Clontarf Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3

Updated 27.07.10