The Garden

The Garden
by Bryce Neubert and Michael McLean

The Garden is an allegorical oratorio.  As you may know an oratorio is a musical work on a sacred theme.  In an allegory the telling of the moral or religious tale is figurative or symbolic.  The "allegorical oratorio" has a "Barren Tree," "a ram," "a millstone," and a seedling as characters.  We are introduced to these characters through their own arias (songs).

Later we are introduced to The Gardener.  One who comes to help the garden grow and heal.  The Landlord enters, tells the Gardener to "leave this garden."  The Garden asks of the Gardener, how can we be healed?  The Gardener tells the garden of "one with many names" who will come "like a most unusual rain." 

The Man comes, suffering under a heavy burden.  The Garden laments his suffering.  They wish they could help Him somehow.  The Gardener expresses his thoughts.  "I cannot east his burden.  I cannot stop his hurting.  Could we be truly worth such grief and pain?"  The Landlord taunts the Man.  "You're not the only one who is your father's son.  Give up and call it done.  There is no need to suffer longer."  The Man declares, "I never understand such anguish, but I'm not here to do as I wish.  No my will but Thine be done!"

The Garden is healed.  The audience is left with a feeling of contemplative peace as the soloists and the choir join together to "debrief," as it were, the audience.  "We have come to tell a story, we have come to sing the words, and we hope within these melodies the meaning has been heard.  And perhaps someway together, it will help us be prepared, to receive the greatest gift of love that ever will be shared."  "There's a chance this story told this hour will echo through our bones in the moment we most need it when we're searching for what's true and we try to comprehend the love He offers me and you....He becomes our hope through the gift of the ultimate sacrifice.  He is Jesus Christ.  He is come to save us all..."

We invite you share this Easter Sunday with us as we celebrate the life of Him who came "to save us all."

The performance will be held on Easter Sunday, April 4th @ 7pm at:
Alpine Tabernacle
110 East Main Street

If you are interested in joining the choir for this magnificent, please contact Joey at unipac150@gmail.com.  Rehearsals will be held on Sunday evenings at the Alpine Tabernacle from 7pm to 8:30pm beginning February 28th until the performance.  There will be tech/dress rehearsal on Friday, April 2nd as well.