United voices sing of love in the Holocaust
The Australian Hellenic Choir (AHC) and the Sydney Jewish Choral Society (SJCS), have united their voices, performing the Ballad of Mauthausen to more than 750 people.
The Sydney Jewish Choral Society. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis
With lyrics by Greek poet Iakovos Kambanellis and music by acclaimed Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, the song recounts Kambanellis’ love for a Jewish prisoner at Mauthausen Nazi slave camp during the Holocaust.
MC Vic Alhadeff Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis
MC Vic Alhadeff told the audience at the Sir John Clancy Auditorium in the Univesity of NSW the stirring tale of Greek solidarity with Jews at threat of deportation and death during the Holocaust.
Ballad was sung in Greek by both choirs, with surtitles in English. The choral arrangement of this work, renowned as the most beautiful piece of Holocaust music ever written, was arranged and directed by AHC Musical Director Leon Vitogiannis. The choirs also performed songs from their repertoire, and the concert concluded with an encore of Giuseppe Verdi’s Slaves Chorus, sung in Italian, conducted by SJCS Musical Director Rose Grausman.
James Tsolakis, President of AHC, and Anne Spira, Chair of the SJCS, collaborated to bring this event to life.
Video: Victor Grynberg
