Set in Gethsemane, this one-act opera by Charles Calomiris meditates on prayer, doubt and sacrifice through a stark Holy Week drama.

Gethsemane by Charles Calomiris is a powerful contemporary sacred drama that explores the pivotal hour before the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Blurring the line between opera and oratorio, the work unfolds as an intimate psychological and spiritual meditation, focusing on themes of sacrifice, doubt, and the transformative power of love.

Set during the final moments of solitude before the Passion, the opera brings together Jesus and his closest disciples--Peter, John, and James--alongside the disruptive presence of Satan and the distant but profound voice of God the Father. Through a series of arias and ensemble passages, Calomiris constructs a dramatic dialogue that probes the human and divine tensions at the heart of the narrative. The disciples' struggle to remain awake becomes a metaphor for spiritual weakness, while Satan's interventions introduce doubt, temptation, and a challenge to the very notion of sacrificial love.

The libretto, written by the composer, expands upon the sparse Biblical account to imagine the internal and external conflicts of this defining moment. Satan's taunts and philosophical arguments contrast sharply with Jesus's unwavering commitment to his mission, culminating in a profound act of acceptance and transcendence. The inclusion of an angelic choir further enriches the work's sonic and emotional landscape, offering moments of reflection and spiritual reassurance drawn from scriptural texts.

Musically, Gethsemane draws on both operatic and liturgical traditions, reflecting the influence of Orthodox Christian Holy Week reenactments while maintaining a contemporary compositional voice. The structure emphasizes character-driven arias and thematic motifs, allowing each figure--Jesus, Satan, and the Father--to articulate distinct philosophical and emotional perspectives. The result is a work that is both dramatically engaging and theologically resonant, inviting listeners to consider the nature of sacrifice, faith, and redemption.

The performance features a distinguished cast including Arnold Livingston Geis (Jesus), Sophie Delphis (Satan), and Suchan Kim (God the Father), supported by the Cathedral Choir of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity under the direction of Costas Tsourakis. Their combined forces bring depth and gravitas to a work that demands both vocal precision and emotional intensity.

Recorded in 2024 at Eastside Sound in the United States, with sound engineering by Rocky Russo, mixing by Godfrey Furchtgott, and mastering by Murat Çolak, this Da Vinci Classics release offers a meticulously produced presentation of a contemporary sacred opera. With a total runtime of approximately 43 minutes, it stands as a compelling addition to modern vocal repertoire, particularly for listeners interested in works that bridge religious narrative and operatic expression.

Additional Details

Label: DA VINCI CLASSICS

Genre: Classical

Run Time: 43 mins

Release Date: 09/18/26

UPC: 746160919386