This week on Informania, Deb the Librarian interviews April Wilson, Chair of the Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin Organizing Committee and Anchorage Concert Chorus Board Member. Following is information from the Anchorage Concert Chorus about this performance and other Defy Fear! events. Interested in reading about this topic? Check out the Defiant Requiem Resource List.
Due to software challenges, Informania may not be replayed this Thursday at 5pm as expected. I will work on posting these shows online as well. Please listen to Informania’s live broadcasts on 88.1FM or kruaradio.org, Wednesday at 9am. Listen, and be informed!
The Live Performance
The concert-drama, Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín, tells the story of the courageous Jewish prisoners in the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp during World War II who performed the famous Verdi Requiem Mass while experiencing the depths of human degradation. With only a smuggled score, they performed the famous oratorio sixteen times, including one performance before senior SS officials from Berlin and a Red Cross delegation. Conductor Rafael Schächter told the choir, “We will sing to the Nazis what we cannot say to them.”
The concert was conceived and created by Foundation President, Maestro Murry Sidlin. The concert combines the magnificent music of Verdi with testimony from survivors of the original chorus and footage from a Nazi propaganda film on Theresienstadt. The performance also includes actors who speak the words of imprisoned conductor Rafael Schächter and other prisoners. This is not just another performance of the Verdi Requiem, but a tribute to the inspired leadership of Rafael Schächter who was forced to reconstitute the choir three times as members were transported to Auschwitz. The performances came to symbolize resistance and defiance and answering the worst of mankind with the best of mankind. The performance is powerful, dramatic and inspirational, with a contemporary message of hope.
The story of Terezín unfolds between each section of the Verdi score. The final concert/drama, running two hours without intermission, explains why the performances in 1943 and 1944 provided a beacon of hope for the prisoner choir and its audience.
Following a 2010 performance at the Kennedy Center, Washington Post reviewer Stephen Brooks wrote, “Murry Sidlin’s setting of the music, incorporating film of the camp, interviews with survivors, and actors describing the dramatic background, was handled with both dignity and power, and pushed the requiem to even more harrowing depths and exalting heights.” See www.defiantrequiem.org for more information.
Defy Fear! Week
Defy Fear! Week
A week of engaging and thought-provoking events leading up to Anchorage Concert Chorus’ performances of Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin on April 8 & 10 in the Atwood Concert Hall –
For more information visit www.anchorageconcertchorus.org
Day Event | Evening Event | |
| Friday, Apr.1 | Defy Fear! Week opening reception with introduction by Mayor Berkowitz, music by Anchorage Concert Chorus Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center 6:30 – 7:30pm | |
| Saturday, Apr. 2 | “March of the Living” Presentations by Alaska teens who travelled to Poland and Israel to participate in this annual pilgrimage which includes a retracing of the Death March from Auschwitz to Berkinau gas chambers & crematoria. Everyone welcome, reception following Alaska Public Media studios 7:00-10:00 pm | |
| Sunday, Apr. 3 | Reading of Hana’s Suitcase Title Wave Book Store 1-2 pm | “The World War II Holocaust Revisited” Excerpts from the 1965 opera “The Final Ingredient”; “a Holocaust Suite”; three movements from Verdi’s Requiem, etc. sacred concert on KLEF 6-9 AM |
| Monday, Apr. 4 | “Defiant Requiem” PBS documentary screening. Question & answer with creator/conductor Murry Sidlin following the showing Bear Tooth Theatre Pub & Grill 8:00 pm | |
| Tuesday, Apr. 5 | Children’s Peace Pole on display all week at Loussac Library | “Genocide and Refugees” panel discussion with Dr. Mara Kimmel, immigration attorney and co-founder of Alaska Institute for Justice, Leslie Fried, Alaska Jewish Museum Director and Teresa Grey, recent volunteer in Levos Greece refugee camp. BP Energy Center 6:00 – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday, Apr. 6 | Reading of Hana’s Suitcase Loussac Library Innovation Lab 5:00–6:00 pm | |
| Thursday, Apr. 7 | Lunch & Learn with Maestro Murry Sidlin. Loussac Library Innovation Lab noon – 1 pm | “Schindler’s List” screening Loussac Library Innovation Lab 5:30 pm |
| Friday, Apr.8 | Alaska World Affairs Council Panel: “Music, Art & Justice: Community Building and Political Expression on the International Stage” with Maestro Murry Sidlin and Julie Decker. Moderated by Torrie Allen Downtown Anchorage Hilton 12-1 | “Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin” Performance presented by the Anchorage Concert Chorus and UAA School of Music. Murry Sidlin guest conductor; Mari Hahn, soprano; Marsha Miller-Ackerman, mezzo; John Nuzzo, tenor; Anton Belov, bass/baritone Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Atwood Concert Hall 8:00 pm |
| Saturday, Apr. 9 | Children add their handprints to the Peace Pole. Loussac Library, Youth Services, Second Floor DROP BY ANYTIME | UAA Faculty Concert, repertoire will tie into the themes presented through Defy Fear! Week UAA Recital hall 7:30 pm |
| Sunday, Apr.10 | “Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin” Performance presented by the Anchorage Concert Chorus and UAA School of Music.Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Atwood Concert Hall 8:00 pm |
Defy Fear! Week
1st Friday at Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center 6:30 – 7:30
Kick-off event for Defy Fear! Week, introduction and proclamation by Mayor Berkowitz, excerpts from “Verdi Requiem” by Anchorage Concert Chorus – Sponsored by Anchorage Museum
“March of the Living” – student presentations – Alaska Public Media studios – Saturday, April 2, 7-10 pm The program will feature presentations by Alaska Jewish teens who travelled to Poland and Israel and participated in this annual pilgrimage which included a retracing of the Death March from Auschwitz to Berkinau gas chambers & crematoria. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. Sponsored by Alaska Public Media and the Alaska Chapter of the United Jewish Communities
Children’s Peace Pole – On display from Tuesday, April 5th to Sunday April 10th.
Genocide and Refugees – PB Energy Center – Tuesday, April 5, 6-8 pm A panel discussion with Dr Mara Kimmel, Leslie Fried and Teresa Grey all who have experiences and observations regarding the journey and treatment of refugees.
Hana’s Suitcase reading – Sunday, April 3 at Title Wave Book Store 1-2 pm
An opportunity to hear the summarized story of Hana and George Brady, Czech Jews. Includes excerpts from the book, a recording of a question and answer session from the survivor of the story and a pictorial display of their life experience in the Nazi prison camp at Terezin in Czechoslovakia. Also highlighted will be explanations of some Czech traditions along with Czech outfits from Moravia. A limited number of copies of Hana’s Suitcase will be available to take home by making a small donation to the Anchorage Concert Chorus. Sponsored by Title Wave Book Store
“Defiant Requiem”– Monday, April 4 at Beartooth Theatre Pub 8:00 pm – Screening of the PBS feature-length documentary film which illuminates the extraordinary, untold story of the brave acts of resistance by the Jewish prisoners at Terezín Concentration Camp during World War II. Introduction by Mayor Berkowitz, question & answer period following with Murry Sidlin, creator of “Defiant Requiem – Verdi at Terezin. Sponsored by BeartoothTheatre Pub and Defiant Requiem Foundation
Lunch & Learn – Thursday, April 7 at Loussac Library Innovation Lab 12-1 pm
Maestro Murry Sidlin will provide background on Verdi, the different movements of his masterpiece Requiem, and the upcoming performances of “Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin”. Sponsored by Loussac Library and Defiant Requiem Foundation
Schindler’s List – Thursday, April 7 at Loussac Library Innovation Lab 5:30
Schindler’s List is a 1993 movie based on the book Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally (the book was later renamed Schindler’s List as well). The movie relates the tale of Oskar Schindler, a German entrepreneur who was instrumental in saving the lives of over one thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust. (Moviepedia). Sponsored by Loussac Library
World Affairs Council Panel: “Music, Art & Justice” Friday, April 8, Downtown Anchorage Hilton, 12-1 pm “Community Building and Political Expression on the International Stage” with Maestro Murry Sidlin and Julie Decker, Director of the Anchorage Museum, moderated by Torrie Allen, Alaska Public Media. Sponsored by World Affairs Council
Children’s Peace Pole- Loussac Library, Youth Services, Second Floor Saturday, April 9 to add a decorated handprint to the peace pole. Crafting materials will be available. Peace pole on loan from Anchorage Montessori School. DROP BY ANYTIME. Sponsored by Loussac Library
tribute to the inspired leadership of Rafael Schächter who was forced to reconstitute the choir three times as members were transported to Auschwitz. The performances came to symbolize resistance and defiance and answering the worst of mankind with the best of mankind. The performance is powerful, dramatic and inspirational, with a contemporary message of hope.
The story of Terezín unfolds between each section of the Verdi score. The final concert/drama, running two hours without intermission, explains why the performances in 1943 and 1944 provided a beacon of hope for the prisoner choir and its audience.
Following a 2010 performance at the Kennedy Center, Washington Post reviewer Stephen Brooks wrote, “Murry Sidlin’s setting of the music, incorporating film of the camp, interviews with survivors, and actors describing the dramatic background, was handled with both dignity and power, and pushed the requiem to even more harrowing depths and exalting heights.” See www.defiantrequiem.org for more information.
Defy Fear! Week
Defy Fear! Week
A week of engaging and thought-provoking events leading up to Anchorage Concert Chorus’ performances of Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin on April 8 & 10 in the Atwood Concert Hall –
For more information visit www.anchorageconcertchorus.org
Day Event | Evening Event | |
| Friday, Apr.1 | Defy Fear! Week opening reception with introduction by Mayor Berkowitz, music by Anchorage Concert Chorus Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center 6:30 – 7:30pm | |
| Saturday, Apr. 2 | “March of the Living” Presentations by Alaska teens who travelled to Poland and Israel to participate in this annual pilgrimage which includes a retracing of the Death March from Auschwitz to Berkinau gas chambers & crematoria. Everyone welcome, reception following Alaska Public Media studios 7:00-10:00 pm | |
| Sunday, Apr. 3 | Reading of Hana’s Suitcase Title Wave Book Store 1-2 pm | “The World War II Holocaust Revisited” Excerpts from the 1965 opera “The Final Ingredient”; “a Holocaust Suite”; three movements from Verdi’s Requiem, etc. sacred concert on KLEF 6-9 AM |
| Monday, Apr. 4 | “Defiant Requiem” PBS documentary screening. Question & answer with creator/conductor Murry Sidlin following the showing Bear Tooth Theatre Pub & Grill 8:00 pm | |
| Tuesday, Apr. 5 | Children’s Peace Pole on display all week at Loussac Library | “Genocide and Refugees” panel discussion with Dr. Mara Kimmel, immigration attorney and co-founder of Alaska Institute for Justice, Leslie Fried, Alaska Jewish Museum Director and Teresa Grey, recent volunteer in Levos Greece refugee camp. BP Energy Center 6:00 – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday, Apr. 6 | Reading of Hana’s Suitcase Loussac Library Innovation Lab 5:00–6:00 pm | |
| Thursday, Apr. 7 | Lunch & Learn with Maestro Murry Sidlin. Loussac Library Innovation Lab noon – 1 pm | “Schindler’s List” screening Loussac Library Innovation Lab 5:30 pm |
| Friday, Apr.8 | Alaska World Affairs Council Panel: “Music, Art & Justice: Community Building and Political Expression on the International Stage” with Maestro Murry Sidlin and Julie Decker. Moderated by Torrie Allen Downtown Anchorage Hilton 12-1 | “Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin” Performance presented by the Anchorage Concert Chorus and UAA School of Music. Murry Sidlin guest conductor; Mari Hahn, soprano; Marsha Miller-Ackerman, mezzo; John Nuzzo, tenor; Anton Belov, bass/baritone Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Atwood Concert Hall 8:00 pm |
| Saturday, Apr. 9 | Children add their handprints to the Peace Pole. Loussac Library, Youth Services, Second Floor DROP BY ANYTIME | UAA Faculty Concert, repertoire will tie into the themes presented through Defy Fear! Week UAA Recital hall 7:30 pm |
| Sunday, Apr.10 | “Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin” Performance presented by the Anchorage Concert Chorus and UAA School of Music.Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Atwood Concert Hall 8:00 pm |
Defy Fear! Week
1st Friday at Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center 6:30 – 7:30
Kick-off event for Defy Fear! Week, introduction and proclamation by Mayor Berkowitz, excerpts from “Verdi Requiem” by Anchorage Concert Chorus – Sponsored by Anchorage Museum
“March of the Living” – student presentations – Alaska Public Media studios – Saturday, April 2, 7-10 pm The program will feature presentations by Alaska Jewish teens who travelled to Poland and Israel and participated in this annual pilgrimage which included a retracing of the Death March from Auschwitz to Berkinau gas chambers & crematoria. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. Sponsored by Alaska Public Media and the Alaska Chapter of the United Jewish Communities
Children’s Peace Pole – On display from Tuesday, April 5th to Sunday April 10th.
Genocide and Refugees – PB Energy Center – Tuesday, April 5, 6-8 pm A panel discussion with Dr Mara Kimmel, Leslie Fried and Teresa Grey all who have experiences and observations regarding the journey and treatment of refugees.
Hana’s Suitcase reading – Sunday, April 3 at Title Wave Book Store 1-2 pm
An opportunity to hear the summarized story of Hana and George Brady, Czech Jews. Includes excerpts from the book, a recording of a question and answer session from the survivor of the story and a pictorial display of their life experience in the Nazi prison camp at Terezin in Czechoslovakia. Also highlighted will be explanations of some Czech traditions along with Czech outfits from Moravia. A limited number of copies of Hana’s Suitcase will be available to take home by making a small donation to the Anchorage Concert Chorus. Sponsored by Title Wave Book Store
“Defiant Requiem”– Monday, April 4 at Beartooth Theatre Pub 8:00 pm – Screening of the PBS feature-length documentary film which illuminates the extraordinary, untold story of the brave acts of resistance by the Jewish prisoners at Terezín Concentration Camp during World War II. Introduction by Mayor Berkowitz, question & answer period following with Murry Sidlin, creator of “Defiant Requiem – Verdi at Terezin. Sponsored by BeartoothTheatre Pub and Defiant Requiem Foundation
Lunch & Learn – Thursday, April 7 at Loussac Library Innovation Lab 12-1 pm
Maestro Murry Sidlin will provide background on Verdi, the different movements of his masterpiece Requiem, and the upcoming performances of “Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin”. Sponsored by Loussac Library and Defiant Requiem Foundation
Schindler’s List – Thursday, April 7 at Loussac Library Innovation Lab 5:30
Schindler’s List is a 1993 movie based on the book Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally (the book was later renamed Schindler’s List as well). The movie relates the tale of Oskar Schindler, a German entrepreneur who was instrumental in saving the lives of over one thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust. (Moviepedia). Sponsored by Loussac Library
World Affairs Council Panel: “Music, Art & Justice” Friday, April 8, Downtown Anchorage Hilton, 12-1 pm “Community Building and Political Expression on the International Stage” with Maestro Murry Sidlin and Julie Decker, Director of the Anchorage Museum, moderated by Torrie Allen, Alaska Public Media. Sponsored by World Affairs Council
Children’s Peace Pole- Loussac Library, Youth Services, Second Floor Saturday, April 9 to add a decorated handprint to the peace pole. Crafting materials will be available. Peace pole on loan from Anchorage Montessori School. DROP BY ANYTIME. Sponsored by Loussac Library