International Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, calls on us to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Join us on Tuesday, January 28, at 7:30 pm for an evening of profound musical reflection. The Perspective Collective will present Farewell, Auschwitz, a poignant song cycle by Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer. Inspired by the satirical writings of Krystyna Zywulska, penned during her imprisonment at Auschwitz-Birkenau. This 25-minute work for three singers, piano, violin, clarinet, cello, and bass brings her courageous voice to life.

The program will also feature works that reflect the resilience and creativity that arose in response to the atrocities of WWII, including selections from Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time, composed during his captivity in Görlitz, and poignant songs by Kurt Weill that grapple with the era’s tragedies.

The Perspective Collective—featuring vocalists Grant Mech, Rachael Basescu, and Erin Brittain, who visited Auschwitz in 2018—is dedicated to performing works that bridge historical events with contemporary sensitivities. They will be joined by instrumentalists Akiko Hosaki (piano), Christopher Culp (clarinet), Aurora Mendez (violin), Ajibola Rivers (cello), Chris Clark (bass), and Stephanie Leotsakos (soprano).

This 1 hour program offers an opportunity to bear witness to stories of hope, courage, and the transcendent power of music. Together, we honor the memory of Holocaust victims and survivors, amplify voices of resistance, and foster reflection, dialogue, and a shared commitment to never forget.

Farewell Auschwitz