Originating in the monastery of Benediktbeuren, the manuscript of the 'Carmina Burana' contained very little religious music. 'The Great Mystery of the Passion' is one of these rare pieces: a far cry from the ribaldry of most of the others to which the collection owes its popularity. Composed during the 13th century, it is an admirable example of the traditional liturgical drama, presenting a staged dramatisation of the characters which prefigure the great Mysteries of the 15th century. A masterpiece of a certain medieval classicism, this Passion was restaged in 1988 by the Atelier Lyrique du Rhin, in collaboration with the Ensemble Organum. This is a recording of that performance. This title was released for the first time in 1990.

Artists

Marcel Peres (narrator), Francois Fauche (Jesus), Josep Benet Caiaphas), Josep Cabre (The Priest, Longinus), Astrid Maugard (Mary), Pasquale Mourey (Martha, a courtesan), Bruno Boterf (Judas), Cyrille Gerstenhaber (Mary Magdalena), Dominique Visse (the Angel), Antoine Sicot (the merchant), Philippe Cantor (Pilate), Samuel Husser (the Lover, John), Florence Limon (a courtesan, the maid-servant), Malcolm Bothwell (Peter, Herode), Laurence Brisset, Pascale Poulard

Ensemble Organum