Not the Messiah – nach dem Kultfilm „Das Leben des Brian“ - Schedule, Program & Tickets

A comic oratorio by Eric Idle and John Du Prez based on the cult film "The Life of Brian"
German by Thomas Pigor

In German language

Jesus Christ is not the only one who came into the world in a stable on that Christmas Eve: Brian Cohen also meets this fate! The satirical oratorio "Not the Messiah", adapted from Monty Python's 1979 film "The Life of Brian", tells the story of how "a completely normal man" is mistaken for the Messiah through a series of misunderstandings and coincidences. Brian goes from one unfavorable and bizarre situation to the next, is worshipped as a savior by a sect and involuntarily becomes a religious figure.

The oratorio takes a humorous look at human nature, the search for identity and the tendency to listen unquestioningly to authority. Musically, catchy melodies meet classical organ and choral music, while the text focuses on irony and black humor. The contrast between religiously solemn and absurdly comical sounds is what makes the work so special.

"Monty Python's Flying Circus" remains unsurpassed in terms of humor to this day. In 1979, Monty Python turned the Bible on its head with "The Life of Brian". In 2007, the makers of "Spamalot", Eric Idle and John Du Prez, created a comic oratorio based on the film. Opera soloists, choir and symphony orchestra use musical means to tell the story of Brian, who is not the Messiah - the song
"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is of course a must.

Since the stage adaptation, it has become customary to perform "Not the Messiah" semi-staged: Like a classical oratorio, the focus is not on the action on stage, but on the orchestra and the soloists. This will be staged by Carl Philip von Maldeghem, who will take on the special task of placing not only the singers, but also the Mozarteum Orchestra and musical director Tobias Meichsner on the stage of the Landestheater.

Subject to change without notice.