“Lamb of God” — a sacred oratorio by Rob Gardner about Jesus Christ’s death, Atonement and Resurrection — made its New York City debut at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center on Monday, March 30, 2026.
The concert, conducted by Gardner, was held in collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is focusing this Easter season on the “greater love” of Christ, a phrase from John 15:13 in the New Testament: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
At a reception before the concert, Elder Allen D. Haynie, General Authority Seventy and President of the Church’s United States Northeast Area, expressed gratitude for Gardner, the performers and the musicians and explained why the Church sponsored the production.
“During Holy Week, Jesus Christ perfectly embodied that greater love — in Gethsemane, on the cross and through His Resurrection,” he said. “‘Lamb of God’ brings those sacred events to life in a powerful and moving way. That is why we are honored to support this production.”
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Elder Haynie explained that for Latter-day Saints, Easter is “not just a story — it is a living reality.”
“Jesus Christ is our source of joy and peace in this life,” he said, “and the foundation of our hope in the life to come. He is central to all we believe. He is the way.”
Gardner told guests at the reception, “As I wrote [“Lamb of God,”] there was one word that was in my mind that I didn’t ever want to escape, and that is the word ‘hope,’ and … tonight, my prayer is that as you leave, you will feel a greater sense of hope.”
Lamb-of-God-at-the-MetComposer and conductor Rob Gardner speaks at a reception before the “Lamb of God” concert at The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center in New York City on Monday, March 30, 2026. Also pictured are Elder Allen D. Hanie, General Authority Seventy and President of the United States Northeast Area, and Elder David Marriott, an Area Seventy, both of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Download Photo
Eugene F. Rivers, founder of the Seymour Institute for Black Church and Policy Studies in Boston, said at the reception, “One of the most powerful statements of hope is the resurrection itself. … Jesus gives hope to the world.”
Gardner’s “Lamb of God” first appeared as a concept album featuring the London Symphony Orchestra in 2010. Since then, locally produced productions on five continents — in countries including Argentina, Switzerland and Taiwan — have involved thousands of performers, many of whom volunteered for the privilege of participating.
Gardner said that while he believes all “Lamb of God” productions are “interesting and special in their own way … New York has a different personality than other places,” due to its level of sophistication, performers’ backgrounds, world-renowned stages and “just New York itself.”
“New York is an art city, and the best of the best are there,” he said.
Lamb-of-God-at-the-Met“Lamb of God” attendees fill the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center in New York City on Monday, March 30, 2026. Photo by Wes Johnson.All rights reserved.
The concert starred acclaimed soloists Jessie Mueller as Mary, Santino Fontana as John, Joy Woods as Martha, Norm Lewis as Pilate, Anna Zavelson as Mary Magdalene, Alex Joseph Grayson as Thomas, Brandon Victor Dixon as Peter, Zachary Noah Piser as Judas, Thom Sesma as Onias and Katherine Alexis Thomas as Mary of Bethany.
Soloist Sesma said he has admired the oratorio since its premiere. “‘Lamb of God’ is a story that is alive,” he said. “It continues, and it is our responsibility to tell that story — not just the narrative that is in the gospel but in our lives.”
“This is my first time hearing it, my first time at the Met,” said Bishop J. Louis Felton, pastor of the Mountain Airy Church of God in Christ in Philadelphia, following the performance. “And let me tell you, it’s a mind-blowing experience. … We felt the love tonight. The people really touched others magnetically with that love of Christ.”
Audience member Natashia Neckles drove from Washington, D.C., to attend. “I thought it was absolutely phenomenal,” she said. “I can’t tell you how many times I felt chills go down my body. It was phenomenal.”
She added, “The ending, the finale, is what makes it all worthwhile, the feeling that there is hope because Christ gave His life for us, and because of that, we can be hopeful.”
Lamb-of-God-at-the-Met“Lamb of God” attendees fill the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center in New York City on Monday, March 30, 2026. All rights reserved.
The concert also featured a full 80-piece symphony orchestra and a 135-voice choir comprising the renowned Brigham Young University Singers and the Brigham Young University Concert Choir, which began rehearsing for the concert earlier this year.
Gardner specifically requested that the Met performance include the BYU choirs, with whom he had previously worked. “BYU is known for and consistently has one of, if not the best, choral programs in the country,” he said. “And it’s such an amazing group of singers and led incredibly well by their conductors that you step on the stage and you’ve already got musicality. And then there’s also a connection religiously …, which isn’t necessary to do beautiful music, but it certainly helps.”
Preston Hoffman, BYU Choirs, said that as a conductor, Gardner is “extremely energetic. … You can feel his passion for both the music and for his testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ. And working with him has allowed me to see that enthusiasm and to try and cultivate a little bit more of that in myself.”
lincoln-center-met.jpegMetropolitan Opera House in New York City at Lincoln Center.Photo Courtesy of stock.adobe.com/travelviewDownload Photo
“To have our choirs singing in the met, singing about the resurrection of Jesus Christ during Easter week, I don’t know if it can get any better than that, said Keith Vorkink, BYU Advancement vice president.
The university, as part of its 150th anniversary this year, is celebrating gifts of light from Jesus Christ and the gifts of light individuals can share with one another. “It is about taking the gifts that we develop and … and sharing them with the world,” Vorkink said. “And that’s exactly what happened tonight.”
Macy Fisher, BYU Choirs, said she feels lucky to be part of the BYU School of Music, which focuses on lifelong service. “Doing ‘Lamb of God’ at the Met is a great opportunity for us to do that, to practice what we preach. It’s an opportunity for us to go and testify of Jesus Christ to the whole world.”
Emily Wells, BYU Choirs, agreed. “I connect with others best through music, and so I’m grateful for the chance to be able to use this gift of music that God has given us, to be able to connect with other people, and to be able to share our conviction and our testimony, especially because this is Easter.”
Elder Haynie concluded the reception with an invitation to “‘seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written’ (Ether 12:41). If you do, you will find Him — because He is already seeking you.”
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