Composer

:

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

1971

Average_duration

:

58:46

Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical was first composed in 1970 and premiered on Broadway in 1971. The story is based on the last week of Jesus Christ's life, as depicted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The musical is divided into two acts, with the first act focusing on the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem, and the second act focusing on his trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. The story is told through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, who is portrayed as a conflicted and sympathetic character. The music of Jesus Christ Superstar is characterized by its rock and roll style, with electric guitars, drums, and synthesizers. The score includes such iconic songs as "Superstar," "I Don't Know How to Love Him," and "Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)." The premiere of Jesus Christ Superstar was met with controversy, as some religious groups felt that the musical was blasphemous and disrespectful to the Christian faith. However, the musical was also praised for its innovative approach to storytelling and its use of rock music to convey the emotional intensity of the story. Despite the controversy, Jesus Christ Superstar went on to become a commercial and critical success, with numerous revivals and adaptations over the years. The musical has been performed in over 42 countries and translated into 22 languages. Overall, Jesus Christ Superstar is a powerful and emotional musical that explores the themes of faith, betrayal, and redemption. Its innovative use of rock music and its sympathetic portrayal of Judas Iscariot have made it a beloved classic of the musical theater canon.

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