The Play of Daniel

Experience the power and beauty of the Old Testament story of Daniel as told in the medieval music drama created in the 12th century.

The purpose of Danielis ludus was to celebrate the Birth of Christ and to remind the audience that Daniel’s God is the one True God. Daniel is wiser than all the Babylonians because he is a man of God. He is saved from the jaws of the lions because he is faithful. At the end of the play, the last three pieces build up to the Nativity of Christ in a logical sequence: Darius, having witnessed Daniel’s God save him from the lions, commands his subjects to worship Daniel’s God forever. Then follows Daniel’s own prophecy of the coming of a Holy One (without naming names), and finally, an Angel, an agent of God, announces the Birth of Christ (using the first verse of a hymn by Fulbert of Chartres: Nuntium vobis/ fero de supernis/ natus est Christus/ Dominator orbis/ in Bethleem Jude/ sic enim propheta dixerat ante.)

GEMS repeats its acclaimed production of the Latin play incorporating music, chant, song, and dance with a prologue in English, making the show accessible for listeners of all ages.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Three performances only!
Saturday, January 2 @ 7 pm
Sunday, January 3 @ 3 pm and 7 pm