Here is the link to free tickets to this event.    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/march-29-lamb-of-god-easter-oratorio-at-temple-hill-tickets-833959925587?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

Every Easter, the American Red Cross, together with the Interfaith Community of Northern California, celebrates the gift of life. This joyful effort was barely imagined well over a decade ago. Now, the beautiful music and sense of giving has taken hold, fostering friendships among the churches and throughout the community. All it took was an invitation.

Archbishop Cordileone first suggested holding an Interfaith concert that resulted in Lamb of God. In 2011, then Bishop Cordileone of the Oakland Diocese met with leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to suggest that the two groups work together on an Interfaith service project. It was decided in that meeting to conduct an East Bay Interfaith Blood Drive. That began a tradition that has resulted in one of the largest faith-based blood drives in the U.S. for the American Red Cross. This drive spans areas throughout northern California in July and now includes numerous faith-based organizations. In that first year when Bishop Cordileone expressed his desire and his vision, an Easter concert was suggested to connect the gift of blood to the community with an event that also honors the gift of life through Jesus Christ. At that time, director Alan Chipman was preparing to present Lamb of God sometime in the foreseeable future, though he hadn't anticipated it for that year. But when he got the call to join the effort, there was no question or hesitation but to switch his plans to a production fast track. It quickly became a wonderful Easter season tradition.

Rob Gardner's Lamb of God is a modern masterpiece that brings the story and meaning of Easter to life. The songs tell the story of the final days of Christ's life leading to the Savior's crucifixion and resurrection. The story unfolds through the eyes of his followers, including Peter, John, Mary the Mother, and Martha. When writing the music, Mr. Gardner knew that he did not want someone on the stage physically portraying the part of Jesus. Instead, the cello soloist is used to represent Christ. The voice of the cello becomes the actions and words of Jesus. The style of the oratorio is somewhat similar to the ensemble style of the music of Les Mis and the choir and instruments are as much a part of telling the story as the soloists. When finished with their solos, those singers become part of the crowd, rejoining the choir as one of the disciples or onlookers of the events.

Mr. Gardner bases the words of the oratorio on the King James version of the Holy Bible, but also uses each soloist's character to share some insight into how they view themselves in relationship to Jesus and to what Jesus taught them.

PERFORMANCES are planned for the following dates. T

Mar 24 (7:30PM) Palm Sunday, St. Mary's Parish-Vacaville

Mar 29 (7PM) Good Friday, Oakland Temple Hill Auditorium

Mar 30 (2PM) Saturday, Oakland Temple Hill Auditorium

Mar 31 (7PM) Easter Sunday, Oakland Temple Hill Auditorium

Apr 7 (7PM) Sunday, San Jose State University Concert Hall