BERRIEN SPRINGS—While we now use the word “passion” most often to describe an intense desire or interest, the word actually comes from the Latin word for “suffering.”

As such, “passion” has been used for centuries to describe the events that Jesus Christ endured during the last few days before his crucifixion.

Passion plays, then, have been a staple of Christian Easter celebrations since medieval times. These dramatic representations originally served as a way to instruct the largely non-literate masses in the Church’s doctrine of the crucifixion and resurrection.

In keeping with this Easter tradition, the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University will host two free performances of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “The Passion of Christ According to Matthew” on Easter weekend.

“The performance will be premiering on Good Friday because Bach originally wrote it to be performed on Good Friday,” said Charles Reid, associate professor of voice at Andrews and producer of the performance.

According to Reid, the drama begins with the woman at Bethany anointing Jesus with ointment, and it ends with Christ’s body in the grave. In medieval times, the event of the resurrection, which occurred on Easter, would have been covered in a separate play.

Although Andrews has staged passion plays in the past, this year’s all-new production incorporates both traditional and innovative elements. For example, Reid and student Aleks Kravig translated the piece from its original German into common American English, while remaining true to Bach’s intent with the language.

In addition, the costuming for this production will be more casual and contemporary.

“Jesus didn’t get dressed up to be Jesus,” Reid pointed out. “He just wore clothes. Same for the disciples. Era-appropriate costuming adds another disconnect of that’s how it was ‘back then.’ We want this story to be as relatable as possible.”

Perhaps the biggest innovation is the decision to stage the production as an opera.

“It really is a unique performance,” Reid said. “I experienced it as performed in a similar way as a young singer at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, which is where I got the idea. It is a creative choice that is not a normal part of the tradition.”

Staging the production in this manner allows for more emphasis on what Reid called “reflection points” throughout the performance.

“We are telling the story as well as presenting points of reflection, or meditation, on certain aspects of the story,” Reid explained. “Throughout the story, Bach interjects chorales or arias which comment on the story.”

In keeping with tradition, two choirs and two orchestras will perform the piece, along with several soloists, including Andrews student Deneile Clark in the role of Jesus. David Ortiz will play the role of evangelist/narrator.

“This is the only piece I know of that Bach wrote for two orchestras,” Reid said. “All of the singers are from Andrews University, and the Andrews Symphony Orchestra will be performing.”

Stephen Zork, associate professor of music for choir and voice, will be conducting the performances, while Claudio Gonzalez, associate professor of music for orchestra and strings, is managing the instrumental aspect for the production, including ensuring that appropriate, Baroque-era instruments are used in the performance.

“We’ve brought in a few specialized instruments for this performance, including a positive organ, which is basically a very small, portable organ, a harpsichord and a viola di gamba,” Reid said.

While the free performances are scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. on April 18 and 19 in the Howard Performing Arts Center, Reid expects a full house, and he recommends that audience members arrive when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are not necessary.

More information about the production can be obtained by calling the Howard Center for the Performing Arts at (269) 471-3560 or by visiting www.howard.andrews.edu.