"Luther Rufen '97 - Freund Melanchthon" - a Premiere Performance and Open Air Play

by Harald Mueller

Two summers ago, "Luther Rufen '96" (Calling Luther '96), an open air play sponsored by Lutherstadt Wittenberg and directed by Peter Ries, was performed in the courtyard of the Luther House with great success.

Last summer the featured presentation in the summer schedule of cultural events in Lutherstadt Wittenberg was the play

In commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Philipp Melanchthon's birth, the drama which is based on the core text from 1996 focused on the long-standing friendship between the two reformers, Martin luther and Philipp Melanchthon. We see the articulate and quarrelsome preacher in the foreground and in the background the systematic and methodical thinker and diplomat, always prepared for a challenging dialogue.

"I was born to stand on the battlefield and fight against gangs and devils; therefore, many of my books are tumultuous and warlike. I must exterminate the branches and trunks, to clear away the thorns and hedges, to fill in the puddles and clear out the tangled underbrush, to push through and prepare the way. But Master Philippus carries on tidily and peacefully, building and planting, sowing and watering with pleasure, according to the gifts that God has generously given him."

In the conflict between Wittenberg and Rome, both the reformers as well as their opponents have the opportunity to speak on issues in the struggle for humanism and education, and also in the fight for the claim to theological and political power.

The special attraction of this production lies in its use of varied theatrical forms, creating an environment in which live actors encounter masks and puppets.

Rather than perfoming in a well-known theater, this presentation takes place outside in a historical setting. The play began in front Philipp Melanchthon's workshop, the Melanchthon House, and eventually proceeded to the courtyard betwen the Luther House and the adjoining preachers' seminary.

"Luther Rufen '97 - Fruend Melanchthon" was the second part of a cycle of dramatic performances which will continue until the year 2000. Each annual performance will emphasize a differnt aspect of the life and work of Martin Luther.

For further information about "Luther Rufen '98", please contact Wittenberg Information, at:

Wittenberg Information
Schloss Platz 2
06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Germany

tel: ++ 49 - 3491 - 49 - 66 - 31
Fax: ++ 49 - 3491 49 - 86 - 11
e-mail: wb_info@wittenberg.de