Brundibár
concert performance of the opera
music by Hans Krása
Brundibár (1938), a children’s opera by Czech composer Hans Krása with a libretto by Adolf Hoffmeister, is associated with one of the most dramatic pages in the history of World War II. The opera gained international fame after the children of Theresienstadt concentration camp (camp of Terezín) performed it in 1943. The opera, calling for the victory of the good over the evil, received 55 performances in the camp and became a symbol of hope for freedom and resistance to Nazism around the world.
Contemporary productions of the opera in Europe, North America and Australia are dedicated to the memory of the children, who died in concentration camps.
Brundibár was first performed in Russian in 2015, on the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War.
Concert performance of the opera will take place in the framework of the project Mikhailovsky Theatre at the Hermitage and will feature the Children’s Choir of St Petersburg TV and Radio.
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Russia
The Consulate General of Israel in St Petersburg
The Consulate General of the United States in St Petersburg
The Consulate General of the Czech Republic in St Petersburg
The Regional Jewish Congress in St Petersburg Charitable Foundation
The Israeli Cultural Centre in St Petersburg under the jurisdiction of the Embassy of Israel in Russia
The Russian Research and Educational Holocaust Centre
Musical Director of Art Projects: Dmitri Jurowski
Aninka and Pepíček go to the market to get some milk for their sick mother. As they do not have any money, they decide to follow the example of the organ grinder, Brundibár — people throw coins in his hat when he makes music. Aninka and Pepíček sing their song but nobody listens to them. When they try to draw attention to themselves, people chase them away for being a nuisance. Aninka and Pepíček do not know what to do. A dog, a cat, and a sparrow are on the spot and promise to help.
In the morning, the animals round up all the children in town to make a large choir. The citizens listen to their song, and soon Pepíček’s cap is full of coins. Suddenly, Brundibár appears, grabs Pepíček’s cap and tries to run away with the money. However, he is only one against many and he does not stand a chance. The children celebrate their victory and the choir sings of friendship and support for each other.
Libretto in Russian by Lilia Vinogradova after the original libretto by Adolf Hoffmeister
The Mikhailovsky Orchestra
Conductor: Igor Tomashevsky
The Children’s Choir of St Petersburg TV and Radio
Musical Director and Chorus Master: Igor Gribkov
Principal Pianist and Vocal Coach: Lyudmila Ralko
Director: Mstislav Pentkovsky
Project Manager: Margarita Kunitsyna-Tankevich
Stage Design: Vyacheslav Okunev
Light: Alexander Kibitkin
The Mikhailovsky Theatre expresses its gratitude to Elena Kolomiytseva
Sheet music provided by Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd