Und die Musik spielt dazu : Chansons und Satiren aus dem KZ Theresienstadt

A collection of cabaret pieces and some serious poems produced in Theresienstadt. The editor's introduction (pp. 11-55) describes the wealth of cultural activities in the ghetto - concerts, theater, opera, cabaret, lectures - both in the early months when they were carried out clandestinely and under the most difficult conditions, and after September 1942 when the SS encouraged and supported them for propaganda purposes. The performances helped the traumatized prisoners to forget their circumstances for a while and to preserve their mental health. Describes problems posed by frequent deportations of members of an ensemble, the show of normalcy put on for the Red Cross delegation, and the making of the propaganda film "Der Führer schenkt den Juden eine Stadt". Pp. 131-160 contain a chronicle of the organization of ghetto cultural activities, written by Rabbi Erich Weiner, head of the cultural department (which was called "Freiheitgestaltung" - programming of free time); pp. 161-168 contain a chronicle, by Hans Krása et al., of musical performances; and pp. 169-177 music criticism by Kurt Singer. Originalausg. 183 pages ; 19 cm.