A debut performance with Yo-Yo Ma by a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor in Boston grabbed headlines around the world last month.
Canada will have its own "world's first" this spring, in Victoria. The world premiere of A Twentieth Passion, written by Bergen-Belsen survivor Peter Gary who was liberated in 1945 (same day as his birthday) and has spent many years of his life sharing his story about the Shoah with youth of today, will breathe life into his composition for the very first time. An idea by two young UVic students two years ago struck the first note in this exceptional story.
On Apr. 2, 2014 at the University of Victoria, this one event will become much larger than a single performance. A Kickstarter campaign has also been launched to support the need for educating future generations. We're hoping you might help share the story with your readers.
Researchers and friends of the oratorio are also working to keep these efforts as well as the stories alive well into the future. Direct donations to the UVic initiative can be arranged through Karen Whyte (kwhyte@uvic.ca). Friends of the oratorio kicked off the crowdfunding campaign this month and look forward to even more backers by the time it wraps up on Dec. 1.
More info (incl. tickets)
For comment on the campaign, please contact Judy Estrin (jestrin@pacbell.net). For an interview with a UVic researcher, please contact me.
Tickets are already on sale, as is the libretto.
Warmly,
Tara Sharpe
Media Relations & Public Affairs
t: 250-721-6248
@uvicevents @uvicnews
University of Victoria
Victoria, Canada