Rob Gardner’s concert piece depicting the death, atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ is heading to New York City.
The Easter-themed concert “Lamb of God,” presented in partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will make its New York City debut on March 30 at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center.
The performance will feature a full symphony orchestra, acclaimed soloists and a 135-voice choir composed of the BYU Singers and BYU Concert Choir, according to a church news release.
Tickets for the concert will go on sale Jan. 27 through the Metropolitan Opera House box office.
The performance coincides with the church’s Easter focus on John 15:13 from the New Testament: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
About ‘Lamb of God’
“Lamb of God” was performed for the first time in September 2010 in Gardner’s home state of Arizona. Since then, it has been performed annually in communities globally, with the help of thousands of local performers — many of them volunteers — across five continents, from Argentina to Switzerland to Taiwan, the church said.
“‘Lamb of God’ is a musical witness of the final days of the Savior’s mortal ministry, His infinite Atonement and His glorious Resurrection,” said Elder Allen D. Haynie, president of the church’s United States Northeast Area. “The production offers a profound opportunity to reflect on the central event of human history and to feel the Spirit testify of our Redeemer’s love.”
In his message, Haynie also encouraged local residents to invite their friends and family members to see the New York performance with them.
“This is a wonderful occasion to invite family members and friends of other faiths to join us in celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” he said.
Gardner is excited to have his concert performed at the Metropolitan Opera House this spring.
“Every element of this New York premiere is beyond thrilling — the iconic venue, the exceptional artists and one of the finest choral programs in the country,” Gardner said in a press release. “’Lamb of God’ takes on a life of its own through productions around the world each year, and bringing it to The Metropolitan Opera House is especially meaningful.”
Commenters on X expressed enthusiasm for the concert’s debut in New York, sharing, “Big fan of Rob Gardner’s music since 2013. Spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music,” and “Great stuff, love to see the Church embrace the arts in a big way.”
About the Metropolitan Opera House
The new Metropolitan Opera House, also known as The Met, opened in September 1966, replacing the original 1883 opera house, according to the venue’s website. It seats roughly 3,800 individuals and began a partnership with New York’s Lincoln Center Theater in 2006 to “provide renowned composers and playwrights the resources to create and develop new works at the Met and Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater,” the website reads.
Other New York concerts with ties to the church
Other performances in New York with association to the Church of Jesus Christ include the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, which has performed in the city several times. The choir performed there for the first time in 1911, at Madison Square Garden, and performed later in 1976, 1995, 2003 and 2007, and several more times since.