Salzburg Advent Singing 2023 – “Don’t be afraid!”

2023-12-06 12:29:25

On December 8th at 3:50 p.m. on ORF 2, on December 10th at 6:35 p.m. on ORF III

Vienna (OTS) – “Don’t be afraid!” – these biblical words of hope and confidence form the central message of this year’s Salzburg Advent singing in the Great Festival Hall. The new production takes us back around 2,000 years to the Jewish religious world into which Jesus of Nazareth was born. ORF 2 will show the Salzburg Advent singing “Don’t be afraid!” on Friday, December 8th, 2023, at 3:50 p.m., ORF III in full length on Sunday, December 10th, at 6:35 p.m.

The story takes place around the time of the birth of Christ, in the year 3760 according to the Jewish calendar, and – in the context of Christian traditions – represents an imaginary journey into the life and faith of Jewish people such as Rabbi Jacob, the widow Anna and her daughter Temple virgin Mary, her cousin Elisabeth, the carpenter Joseph or the believing shepherds.

The piece was created in the anniversary year of 2021 – on the occasion of 75 years of Salzburg Advent singing – but could not be performed due to the pandemic. However, the explosiveness of the topic in view of the flaring anti-Semitism could not be more topical.

The production in collaboration with the ORF Landesstudio Salzburg shows new approaches that carry the persistent power of hope for peace among people even in turbulent times. As usual, the highlight of the summary is the devotional yodel sung together with the audience at the end of the Salzburg Advent singing.

Book, dramaturgy and overall direction: Hans Köhl
Musical direction: Herbert Böck
Compositions: Shane Woodborne
Director: Gerda scratch
Image direction: Leopold Knötzl
Editorial ORF: Karin Meyer-Smejkal