“Brundibar,” the historically significant opera that was performed many times by Jewish children in Czechoslovakia’s Terenzín concentration camp during World War II, will be presented Dec. 5 and 7 by the Madison Project Youth Opera Camp of Santa Monica College.
In association with Los Angeles Opera, the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica and the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, the opera camp is pushing new boundaries with the opera.
“Brundibar” is a 35-minute children’s opera created in 1938 by Czech artists Hans Krasa and Adolf Hofmeister. The piece was performed at the Terenzín camp at least 55 times by camp children, including a performance for the International Red Cross inspectors on June 23, 1944. The opera tells the story of a young brother and sister’s determination to find enough money to help their sick mother. Eli Villenueva is the stage director and Daniel Faltus the music director for “Brundibar.”
“The kids prevail by working together with other children in the community,” said Adam Philipson, Madison Project Opera Camp coordinator. “This is the same experience the opera campers have while working together as an ensemble.”
This is the third season that the Madison Project of Santa Monica College has partnered with Los Angeles Opera to train a broad cross-section of young people from throughout the Los Angeles area in voice and performance. Students are taught by Los Angeles Opera professionals and not only get top-notch voice, movement and drama training, but also get a behind-the-scenes visit to the opera company and learn about set design, props, costume and lights.
In addition, the opera camp received a $35,000 grant from the Dwight Stuart Youth Foundation to cover teachers, production costs, rental of the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica for rehearsals and performances, and 30 “need-based” scholarships for under-served and under-represented students. Support also has come from the Jewish Community Foundation, the Stratton-Petit Scholarship Fund, the city of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Department and the Ambrose Hotel.
Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Christine Reed Park, 1130 Lincoln Blvd., and at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Museum of Tolerance, 9876 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. The performance at Miles is free, but there is a $7 to $10 admission fee to the Museum of Tolerance. Seating is limited for both performances.
For information on the Dec. 5 performance, call (310) 434-3431. For information on the Dec. 7 performance at the Museum of Tolerance, call (310) 772-2452.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 29, 2003. Read the original PDF.