The project
Rekviem is a stage production, educational initiatives, artistic invitations, an artistic movement against hatred, a documentary and a feature film.
Scheduled for the Bayerische Staatsoper Festival in July 2021, Rekviem was born from a profound desire to communicate to the world an awareness of the power inherent in music to transcend situations bereft of hope.
In 1943, a handful of men and women musicians in Terezín used Verdi’s Requiem to kindle the flames of an extraordinary act of resistance to horror, enlightening us on how to transcend, federate, resist, soothe and heal the scourges of the Old World through art and music.
Today, as our world experiences great suffering, there is an upsurge in the fear of going without, the fear of others, ghettoisation — even negationism —which once again blocks out the lights of peace, causing inner panic.
Consequently, our mission as artists is crucial, more so than ever before.
Rekviem is the power to say no, to stand up and be counted, as human beings. Quite simply, the power to carry on embodying humanity even in places where attempts are being made to deny its very existence, to exterminate it.
From a musical work that expresses the inexpressible to an artistic movement against hatred #WeAreRekviem.
The project has the support of committed public figures, who include Robert Badinter, France's Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot, soprano & actress Natalie Dessay, Terezín survivor Michael Gruenbaum, The Chief Rabbi of France Haïm Korsia, Amnon and Avshalom Weinstein (Violins of Hope), former Minister of Culture Frédéric Mitterrand, Defender of Rights Jacques Toubon and lawyer Jean Veil, the son of Simone Veil.
An adaptation of Verdi's Requiem for 16 singers, 13 musicians, an actor and a Violin of Hope, directed by Carmelo Agnello. The performance lasts approximately 90 minutes without an intermission.
1874
Verdi’s Requiem
1943
The Terezín Requiem
2013
Workshop in the Amphitheatre, Paris Opera-Bastille
2020
Educational and social initiatives
2021-2022
Rekviem stage production
Movement #WeAreRekviem
Artistic invitations
2023
Documentary
2024
Feature film
