The Perelman Jewish Day School will present the children’s opera Brundibar by Hans Krása, performed by children from the Saligman Middle School Forman Center and members of the Beth Sholom Youth Choir. “Music and Art of Terezin” will be held on Sunday March 22, 2009 at 3pm at Gratz College Auditorium.
Adults $10 and Youth $5.
7605 Old York Rd. Elkins Park, PA 19027

Special Guest, Ela Weissberger
Ela Weissberger, the original cat in the
Terezín performances of Brundibár is
one of the few children to survive the
Terezín (Theresienstadt in German)
Ghetto. In her book, The Cat with the
Yellow Star, Ela shares her memories as
a young girl coming of age in Terezín.
Ela has also been featured in the 2003
Oscar nominated documentary film,
Prisoner of Paradise. Ela will be a
guest speaker, personally sharing her
experiences in Terezín and performing
in Brundibár.

Brundibár is a Czech children’s
opera by composer Hans Krása and
librettist Adolf Hoffmeister. Written
in 1938, the music was smuggled
into Terezín, where it was performed
55 times between September 23, 1943
and September 1944.
A classic story of good versus evil,
set to charming music, tells of a
brother and sister, Pepiček and
Aninká, who need to raise money
to buy milk for their ailing mother.
They encounter the evil organ
grinder, Brundibár (Bumblebee), who
chases them away. With the help of a
dog, cat, sparrow and townspeople,
they overcome Brundibár and are
then able to sing to earn the money
needed to cure their mother.