MUSICA IN UN GHETTO NAZISTA: TEREZÍN (THERESIENSTADT)

The SS selected the military fortress of Terezin (Theresienstadt, in German) to put in place a concentration camp in Bohemia. The fortress could normally host 8 to 9 thousand people; more than 40,000 prisoners were held in the site, in horrendous living conditions. But the high quality of Jewish, German and Czech intellectuals held in Terezin allowed a vast production of music, theatre, science lectures, public debates, and a diverse cultural activity to develop in Terezin. This was made possible by the dedication and enthusiasm of the many inmates who were able to find some "normalcy" and meaning in continuing their previous activity. The Nazis exploited this situation to "save their face" in Terezin, in Eichmann's words. Beside the peculiar musical atmosphere of the Klezmer and the Kabarett, cultured music also thrived in Terezin. Many captive Czech artists created music for concerts — instrumental, vocal, for orchestras and even operas — which was played by good-quality amateurs. In addition, some famous composers wrote music, among whom Gideon Klein, Pavel Haas, Viktor Ullmann and Hanus Kràsa.