Opera

"Many of us who attended the very first performance of Raoul at the Goethe Institue New York left the event in tears and unable to speak. It was a deeply emotional and unforgettable event." Jerry Hadley

 

Raoul Wallenberg was a young Swedish tradesman. Members of his large family were well known bankers who regarded him a loser. Not being interested in a bank career, he didn’t mind his rich relatives’ arrogance.

Raoul traveled a lot. At a German railroad station he witnessed a scene that changed his life. It was the last summer of World War II.

Being convinced that a horrible crime was being committed in the midst of Europe, Raoul refused to accept that nothing could be done to prevent the holocaust. He decided to go to Budapest “to save as many lives as possible”.

He believed that one person can make a difference. And he proved he was right.

RAOUL, the opera, tells the true story of this extraordinary man. How he saved more than 100 000 Jewish men, women, and children, and then, when all danger seemed to be over, disappeared into nowhere.

The Jewish people have a legend saying that the world can only go on as long as there are thirty-six truly good people alive. Our opera portraits Raoul as one of these people of quiet courage who come forward when needed, and disappear when the danger is over.

Our opera lets Wallenberg come alive in a very theatrical way. Imagine a chorus on an open, sloping stage. The narrator and all supporting characters step out of the chorus to play their parts, and then step back to be part of the ensemble again. The only true soloist part is the Raoul character.

RAOUL tells an exciting and encouraging story with music and words and little concern for academic categories. Those who've seen and heard the New York concert performance believe it is an important work of art with a message that should be heard.

Attend the World Premiere of "Raoul" on February 21, 2008 at the opera in Bremen/Germany. The opera will be performed in English with German Subtitles.