La passione di Gesù Cristo


La Passione di Gesù Cristo is the title of a libretto by Metastasio which was repeatedly set as an azione sacra or oratorio by many composers of the late baroque, Rococo and early classical period.

Writing and original setting

The libretto was written by the imperial poet in Rome on the instruction of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor. Court composer Antonio Caldara's original setting of La passione di Gesù Cristo signor nostro was performed in at the holy sepulchre in the Hofburgkapelle, the court chapel in Vienna, for Holy Week on 3 April 1730.
The oratorio marks a departure from the settings of actual Gospel passion narratives such as the Latin Passio Secundum Ioannem of Alessandro Scarlatti to a more theatrical style. The four central roles are S. Pietro, S. Giovanni, Maria Maddalena, Giuseppe d'Arimatea – with John, Mary Magdalene and Joseph of Arimathea answering Peter's questions about the crucifixion.

Other settings