Siam Sinfonietta

Cassandra Black, soprano
conducted by Somtow Sucharitkul

Symphony No. 3 by Górecki, Symphony of Sorrowful Songs
Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss

In memory of the Holocaust, Opera Siam presents with the cooperation of the embassies of Germany and Israel two of the most moving masterpieces of the twentieth century.

Górecki's Symphony of Sorrowful Songs is the only piece of twentieth century classical music whose recording hit the pop charts, selling over a milion CDs. This astonishingly moving work sets to music a ancient prayer to the Virgin Mary, the words of a prisoner scrawled on the walls of a Gestapo prison, and the lament of a mother for her son lost in war. It's slow, tender passion has become associated with the Holocaust owing to its use in such media as the BBC documentary about Auschwitz. Scored for large orchestra and soprano solo, the symphony will feature American soprano Cassandra Black.

The second work in the program is one for which Cassandra Black is a famed interpreter. Richard Strauss wrote the songs in 1948, not longer after the war ended. Strauss was one of the greatest composers of his time, yet he struggled during the period of the war, forced to protect his Jewish daughter-in-law by toeing a delicate line, and seeing his opera The Silent Women, cowritten with Jewish writer Stefan Zweig, banned after its opening night.  The autumnal beauty of Strauss's Four Last Songs and the searing tragedy of Górecki's Symphony make up a powerful and emotional evening.

Adding to the impact of the concert is an exhibition provided by the Israeli Embassy showing the impact of the Holocaust on art and artists.

Make a 1000 baht donation to receive a VIP seat at this concert. To apply for complimentary seating, please contact LINE @operasiam, giving your name, email address, phone number, and number of seats requested.