Opera

The Greek Passion

Bohuslav Martinů

Charity begins when we don't turn a blind eye to those seeking protection.

Music drama in four acts

First version (1957)
Libretto by the composer

Performed in English with German and English surtitles

Premiere
13. March 2027

Dates & Cast

Premiere
Start of sales on 25 March 2026 at 10 a.m.
Duration
Starting Time: 6 pm
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Save date
Dresden Day
Start of sales on 25 March 2026 at 10 a.m.
Duration
Starting Time: 7 pm
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Post-Show Discussion
Post-Show Discussion following the performance (free admission).
Guided tour through the Semperoper
Save date
Start of sales on 25 March 2026 at 10 a.m.
Duration
Starting Time: 7 pm
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Guided tour through the Semperoper
Save date
Start of sales on 25 March 2026 at 10 a.m.
Duration
Starting Time: 7 pm
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Guided tour through the Semperoper
Save date
Start of sales on 25 March 2026 at 10 a.m.
Duration
Starting Time: 7 pm
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Guided tour through the Semperoper
Save date
Start of sales on 25 March 2026 at 10 a.m.
Duration
Starting Time: 7 pm
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Guided tour through the Semperoper
Save date

Related event

Kostprobe The Greek Passion

Start of sales on 25 March 2026 at 10 a.m.

In brief

What would happen if the line between theatrical performance and everyday life were to disappear? In the Greek village of Lykovrissi, the local community gathers to cast the next Passion play. Not everyone is happy with their assigned role and so tensions quickly flare. However, when a group of refugees seeking sanctuary arrives in the village, the planned performance recedes into the background. Christian values, such as charity and “loving thy neighbour”, test the community away from the stage.

With his final stage work, The Greek Passion – based on the novel Christ Recrucified by Nikos Kazantzakis – the Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů (1890–1959) successfully created a metaphor to poignantly depict human action and, perhaps, human failure. Although the premiere was originally scheduled for 1959, the work did not reach the stage in Zurich until two years after the composer’s death. The story addresses the unconditional search for common humanity: a reminder to ourselves not to close our eyes to those in need of help. 

Martinů’s score features powerfully crafted choral passages. Alongside the singing, the spoken word plays a central role as commentary on the action. 

Oratorio-like moments are interwoven with various shifts in style from Greek folk melodies to sounds from Martinů’s Bohemian homeland and Byzantine church music.

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