Originating in the monastery of Benediktbeuren, the manuscript of the 'Carmina Burana' contained very little religious music. 'The Great Mystery of the Passion' is one of these rare pieces: a far cry from the ribaldry of most of the others to which the collection owes its popularity. C

omposed during the 13th century, it is an admirable example of the traditional liturgical drama, presenting a staged dramatisation of the characters which prefigure the great Mysteries of the 15th century. A masterpiece of a certain medieval classicism, this Passion was restaged in 1988 by the Atelier Lyrique du Rhin, in collaboration with the Ensemble Organum.

This is a recording of that performance. This title was released for the first time in 1990.

Cast:
- Marcel Pérès (narrator)
- François Fauché (Jesus)
- Josep Benet Caiaphas)
- Josep Cabré (The Priest, Longinus)
- Astrid Maugard (Mary)
- Pasquale Mourey (Martha, a courtesan)
- Bruno Boterf (Judas)
- Cyrille Gerstenhaber (Mary Magdalena)
- Dominique Visse (the Angel)
- Antoine Sicot (the merchant)
- Philippe Cantor (Pilate)
- Samuel Husser (the Lover, John)
- Florence Limon (a courtesan, the maid-servant)
- Malcolm Bothwell (Peter, Herode)