Halifax Theatre for Young People presents Brundibar: A Children's Opera - A Digital Presentation

Halifax Theatre for Young People is pleased to offer a digital presentation of 

BRUNDIBÁR

an opera performed by and for children
Music by Hans Kràsa, with a libretto by Adolf Hoffmeister 
Premiering Wednesday June 3rd, 7pm

This presentation is a video of Halifax Theatre for Young People’s production of Brundibár, filmed in May 2019, with a special behind-the-scenes video component created just for this event. 

An uplifting half-hour opera (presented in English) about children embracing the power of music and friendship, Brundibár received its premiere in German-occupied Prague at the Jewish Orphanage before the mass deportations of Czech Jews to Theresienstadt concentration camp began in 1942. There, composer Krása reconstructed the music for the available instruments from a smuggled in copy of the score, and it was performed 55 times in the camp - a source of hope and resistance to the prisoners - until the children, the composer, director and musicians were sent to Auschwitz following the final performance.  

Despite the background of its creation, the opera itself is light-hearted and provides an excellent opportunity to introduce children and youth of all ages to the topic of the Holocaust and racial discrimination, and the need to work together to defeat oppression. The opera tells the story of children who sing in the marketplace to raise money for their sick mother, but are chased away by the organ player, Brundibár.  With the help of animal and bird friends, as well as other children, they defeat Brundibár and continue to sing. All watching understood that Brundibár represented Hitler and were uplifted, even momentarily, by the fact that good could triumph over evil.

Directed by Tessa Mendel and conducted by Eszter Horvath with a cast of young performers from across HRM and an orchestra of local musicians including Scott Macmillan and members of Symphony Nova Scotia, this production played at the Sir James Dunn Theatre at Dalhousie University in May of 2019.  

Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance.  On the day of the performance, a link to the video stream will be emailed to you.  

If you enjoy the show, and are able to do so comfortably, please consider making a donation to Halifax Theatre for Young People at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/14702 Under “FUND” select “Halifax Theatre for Young People”.  No donation is too small.  Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable tax receipt.  

Brundibár

Composed by Hans Krása
with lyrics by Adolf Hoffmeister
Director: Tessa Mendel
Music Director: Eszter Horváth
Choreographer: Veronique MacKenzie
Design: Matt Downey, Elizabeth Perry, Katrin Whitehead
Repetiteur: Tara Scott
Stage Manager: Virg Iredale

Featuring: 
Vera Lynn Dunlop-Vaillancourt, Charlie Boyle, Keira Lamey, Emily Gallant, Jasmine Aulenback, Ava Hadley, Vivi Brodin, Brielle Prevost, Linnea Brodin, Emily Fieldsend, Brianna Desmond, Ada Blustein, Èva Prevost, with Rachel Hastings and Piper Doak

Halifax Theatre for Young People is the only full-time professional theatre company in HRM dedicated to serving the needs of young people. Our  mandate is to create meaningful, engaging theatre experiences for young people and their families.

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