Visiting Terezin, Czech Republic - Part 2

Posted by Melissa Harris on 17 February 2012 | 0 Comments

Tags: Brundibar, regional tour, education, Victorian Opera, Melissa Harris, bloggers

 

In part 2, Victorian Opera's Education Manager Melissa Harris explores the culture of Terezin.

Jewish communities tried to maintain a sense of their culture through literature, drawing, theatre and music. A great amount of beautiful music came from the tragic years of oppression under Hitler.

I was struck by several original costumes for the showthat illustrated just how malnourished and underweight these people were. Of all the displays in the museum, perhaps the most moving were the images, paintings, poems and hopeful drawings by the children of the camp. The display of children's artwork depicted the countryside, memories of happier times and visions of a future without war. These children were also included in the cultural life of the Ghetto and Hans Krasa's opera for children's voices, Brundibar, was just one of a selection of performance opportunities that the children had during their time in Terezin.

Terezin has a tragic and horrific history. However, I take heart in the messages of hope from the children who sang with all their hearts in the final chorus of Hans Krasa's Brundibar.

 

"We've won a victory, since we were not fearful,

since we were not tearful, because we marched along

singing our happy song, bright, joyful and cheerful."

- Finale - Brundibar

 

- Melissa Harris