In the first two seasons it sold out quickly. This year there are a few tickets still available for the show, but make sure you buy them quickly. If you haven’t experienced the performance, you will be pleased by the complete package the show has to offer. To find the Passion Play Site, enter Drumheller on Highway 9 from the south, turn left off Highway 9 onto South Railway Avenue and continue west until you see sign indicating the venue. The gates open at 11:30 a.m. a full three hours before the performance. The Rosebud River Valley Boys, who were recently appeared on Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe, will be on-site to perform leading up to the show. Also the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site performers in coal dust costume will be on site greeting and performing impromptu sketches. “They were a great success last year,” said Jay Garbutt, event co-ordinator. This year Beethoven in the Badlands welcomes back guest conductor Rosemary Thomson. She will be leading the orchestra in music by, of course Beethoven, as well as works by Verdi.
The line-up also includes music by more contemporary artists such as Vangelis and Calgary born Arthur Bachmann. “We are very pleased that she (Thomson) is back,” says Garbutt. “She a crowd favourite and brings a passionate element to the performance.” Garbutt says the Beethoven in the Badlands is a huge effort on the part of hundreds of volunteers. The organizing committee has been meeting since February. “It’s their commitment to the program that makes it the success it is,” said Garbutt. More information on Beethoven in the Badlands is available at www.cpo-live.com. Tickets are available online or by calling the CPO box office at (403) 571-0849.
