Dreams
A hopeful children's opera from a dark time in history and enduring music written for a Shakespeare comedy
Dreams
A hopeful children's opera from a dark time in history and enduring music written for a Shakespeare comedy
Brundibár, the children’s opera performed in a Nazi concentration camp
In 1944 the Nazis fooled the world. When Red Cross inspectors came to visit the Thereisenstadt concentration camp, it looked like a peaceful and happy little town for Jewish people. The inspectors had no idea what life in the camp was really like.
In this strange “transitional” camp people starved, died of disease, and disappeared suddenly – but they were also allowed to have music. Orchestras, music lessons, and even jazz performances happened in the camp.
Most popular of all was a children’s opera named Brundibár. Everybody wanted to see it, tickets were sold out, and it had a hidden anti-Nazi message.
Brundibár comes from the name of the evil organ grinder (seen above with a moustache).
The story goes: two young kids need money to buy milk for their sick mother. They decide to sing in the marketplace for money, but the organ grinder overpowers them. With the help of “fearless sparrow,” “keen cat,” “wise dog,” and other townspeople, they finally have enough voices to sing louder than him and chase him away.
A story of hope and overcoming oppression told in sweet and uplifting music, it’s a moving reminder of the power we have for good when we unite.
See it live and in person, along with Felix Mendelssohn’s classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream – February 29 in Thousand Oaks and March 1 in Camarillo. Tickets start at $30.
Saturday, February 29, 2020 | 7:30 PM
Thousand Oaks | Buy Tickets >>
Sunday, March 1, 2020 | 3:00 PM
Camarillo | Buy Tickets >>
Program
Michael Christie, conductor
Glywn and Ruth Chase Music Director Chair
California Lutheran University Choir, Women’s Chorale and Areté Vocal Ensemble
Dr. Wyant Morton, choir director
Dana Rouse and Alicia Langness, directors
Kingsmen Shakespeare Company – Brett Elliott and Jane Longenecker, actors*
| Mendelssohn | A Midsummer Night’s Dream |
| Krása | Brundibár |
ENTR’ACTE
| Haas | Study for Strings |
*The actors appear through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Intermission: Something for Everybody
Our intermission gives everyone a chance to enjoy the evening their way.
- Intermission Insights (10 minutes) - Our Music Director Michael Christie spends 10 minutes on stage with the guest artist in a fun and fascinating interview and audience Q&A.
- Break (10 minutes) - A great time to use the restroom, order a refreshment from the concessions in the lobby, and catch up with friends.
- Entr'acte (10 minutes) - The orchestra performs a short contemporary piece - incredible music you may never hear anywhere else.
Feel free to take your seat, poke your head in, or mingle in the lobby until the second half!
Saturday, February 29, 2020 | 7:30 PM
Thousand Oaks | Buy Tickets >>