The Orchestra

At 2.30pm on 15 May 2010 conductor Michael Bocklet will raise his baton and signal the orchestra to begin the Overture. The Oberammergau Passion Play will be under way for its 41st season.

Oberammergau's 55-piece orchestra is made up of amateur, semi-professional and professional musicians, teenagers and adults. They will have been rehearsing at least once a week since September 2009. By the beginning of May they will be able to more than hold their own against any professional orchestra. Music is a tradition in Oberammergau, with the majority of players performing in other bands and orchestras as well as the Passion Play orchestra. Indeed, the village children are encouraged to sing or play instruments, both at school and in the evening.

Michael Bocklet - Conductor

Conductor Michael Bocklet, born in Schongau in 1945, started his musical career as a church organ builder before turning his attention to studying the trombone and subsequently conducting.

He is also the choirmaster at the village church of St Peter and Paul and conducted the Passion Play 2000.