16 Years Later, BRUNDIBAR Comes to the Orlando Stage

For over a decade and a half, Brundibar was the performance that almost happened.

A large file folder, still held by the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center, documents the history. In 2001, Tess Wise, the Holocaust Center's founder and then-Executive Director, had a big vision: she was planning to bring an IsraeLi Children's choir to Orlando to perform this historic opera. The contents of the folder reveal how it almost happened, and how it didn't. Emails and receipts show that the space was booked at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Press releases were sent to the Orlando Sentinel. Everything seemed in order, but things fell through, mostly because of finances; Brundibar couldn't happen, not that year.

It would be 16 years before Brundibar would come to the Orlando stage, but this lost dream has been realized; in partnership with Opera Orlando and Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, two of Orlando's cultural beacons, the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center is thrilled to host a performance of this powerful children's opera as part of their community commemoration of Kristallnacht on November 5 at 2pm.

Brundibar was written by Czech composer Hans Krasa for a 1939 competition whose winner would never be declared. When Germany invaded the present-day Czech Republic, Krasa was imprisoned in Terezin. It was here that he decided to stage the unperformed opera, casting the camp's children in the roles. The opera tells the story of two children who must raise money to buy milk for their sick mother, but are repeatedly thwarted by Brundibar, the town bully. But through teamwork and by standing up to injustice, they defeat Brundibar.

Terezin was considered the "model" camp; when the Red Cross, concerned that the concentration camps were not the "paradise" of Hitler's propaganda, visited the camp in June of 1944 they were treated to a performance of the opera. Brundibar, for those imprisoned in Terezin, became a metaphor for Hitler. Maybe that was not what Krasa had intended originally, but there, performed inside the concentration camp, when the children came together with their fists raised in the air as they marched against Brundibar in unison, the powerful metaphor was unmistakable. Even still, this proved to be too subtle for the audience of foreign dignitaries and Nazi officers who later celebrated its performance.

The opera was performed 55 times by the children in the camp. For them, the music and story were a source of inspiration and hope; it was a much-needed escape from the daily fears and suffering that came with surviving in the camp. It was not the only way that children found escape. Vedem, Czech for "in the lead," was the project of about a hundred boys who lived in a single house of the camp. Featuring poetry, literary reviews, jokes, and essays, it was circulated in secret. The boys knew that its discovery would result in their death. It was never found, and miraculously, over 700 pages survived the war. In 2010, American composer Lori Laitman drew from the poetry written in the magazine, alongside contemporary libretto written by David Mason, to create an oratorio by the same name. Sung by a youth choir, Vedem is a story of resilience, resistance, and survival.

In memory of the children of Terezin, it is now a tradition for Brundibar to be performed by an all-youth cast. Through these performances, young artists will be able to explore the themes of inclusion, perseverance, and teamwork. Robin Jensen, Music and Education Director of Opera Orlando who will be preparing the Opera Orlando Youth Company for the performance, believes that this is an incredible way for the company's aspiring young artists to learn about these powerful lessons from history and how they're still relevant.

"The performances of Brundibar and Vedem will cause our cast to imagine themselves in the same situation as the children imprisoned in the concentration camp," explained Jensen. "They will be challenged by this but I'm confident that their hearts will grow while they gain a personal understanding of this once terrible reality. We're grateful to both the Holocaust Center and the Youth Orchestra for this collaboration and giving our company this opportunity."

The young orchestra players will also be given a chance to engage with the power of the music. "The FSYO Symphonic members and I are happy to be part of this project of remembrance and we're honored to use our talents to keep the voices of the original performers alive," said Hanrich Claassen, FSYO Symphonic Orchestra Conductor and Music Director.

Executive Director of the Holocaust Center, Pam Kancher, is extraordinarily grateful for this partnership. "We are thrilled to fulfill the dream of our founder and Holocaust Survivor, Tess Wise, by bringing Brundibar to our community. We are so grateful for the significant partnership with Opera Orlando and the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras, without whom we would not be able to present this incredible project."

The commemoration and performances will take place on Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 2pm at the Rosen Jewish Community Center at 11184 S. Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32836. A special talk from American composer Lori Laitman will be presented on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 6pm at the Holocaust Center. Visitors to the Thursday evening program will hear about not only the process of creating the composition, but about its significance. For information about sponsorships and tickets, visit holocaustedu.org.

ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST CENTER:

The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center is a non-profit organization and museum that seeks to build a more compassionate and inclusive society through its thought-provoking exhibits, innovative programming, and the highly acclaimed UpStanders: Stand Up to Bullying initiative. The museum is free and its hours are Monday - Thursday, 9am - 4pm; Friday, 9am - 1pm; and Sunday, 1pm - 4pm. Visitors may schedule group tours by calling 407-628-0555. To learn more about the Holocaust Center's mission, visit holocaustedu.org.

ABOUT OPERA ORLANDO:

In only its second year, Opera Orlando has established itself as the standard bearer of the art form in Central Florida. After its Inaugural Season in 2016-17 season, the company looks forward to continuing its track record of sold out houses, fresh theatrical realizations and critical acclaim with original productions of "La Bohème," "Amahl and the Night Visitors" and Rossini's "Cinderella." All performances include musicians from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and are held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. It was in the Center's Walt Disney Theater this past September that Opera Orlando assembled some of the nation's and state's finest operatic talent for a community-building benefit in response to the tragedy: "One Voice Orlando: A Celebration in Song." This stellar and powerful event inspired one of the art form's leading national advocates, Marc Scorca of OPERA America, to declare that "In its brief existence, Opera Orlando has demonstrated its ability to bring high-quality performances to Orlando and to lift the spirit of the city through the power of opera." www.operaorlando.org

ABOUT FLORIDA SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRAS:

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras exist to encourage children and young adults, through the practice and performance of orchestral music, to become passionate leaders, thinkers, and contributors in their local community and beyond. In its 61st Concert Season, FSYO comprises three full orchestras, one string training orchestra, an advanced chamber ensemble, and a new jazz orchestra made up of more than 250 students from nine Central Florida counties. Programs are sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; Orlando Utilities Commission; The City of Orlando, Mayor's Matching Grant; and United Arts of Central Florida. We thank these groups for their generous support. Learn more: web: www.fsyo.org | FB: @TheFSYO | Twitter: @FSYO | IG: @F_S_Y_O | Youtube: @fsyo

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