Audience member, The Royal Opera House at The Bowes Museum, concert featuring Jette Parker soloists, 2009

I knew it was such a privilege to hear those two voices.  Pumeza will obviously go on to a glittering career and I will be able to say I saw her first in my home town.

A moving and inspiring event in words and music marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Bergen Belsen 

 

Durham Cathedral | Saturday April 18th 2015 | 8.00 p.m. 

Download the Darkness to Light flyer

Darkness to Light souvenir CD box set now available see below for details.

On April 15th 1945, the DLI (Durham Light Infantry) formed a part of the forces which liberated Bergen-Belsen. The theme of this commemorative event was 'Shoes'.

The cast, headed by the well-loved TV personality Dame Esther Rantzen actor Kevin Whately (Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Morse and Lewis) and voice over artist Emma Hignett read poetry and also eye-witness accounts from those who entered the camps on the day of Liberation. Lilian Black read her father Eugene's eye witness testimony of being liberated from Bergen Belsen. Read the Northern Echo article. Download the programme.

Listen to two short pieces about the event broadcast on Premier Christian Radio on 16th April.

Alistair Dawes conducted the championship Reg Vardy Band and international artists Penelope Randall-Davis (soprano) and James Edwards (tenor) in excerpts from Il Trovatore, Aida, Die Zauberflöte, Fidelio, Nabucco and Tosca. The music reflects on the central themes of loss, imprisonment, love and the enduring quality of the human spirit.

A new commission Lament (music Will Todd, words Ben Dunwell) written especially for Darkness to Light, formed a moving climax to the evening.

Rabbi Mark Solomon sang two memorial prayers in Hebrew and children from the Upper Durham Dales sang Matthew Prevett's specially-adapted I Believe accompanied by the Upper Dales Flute Choir.

The abiding theme was that hope and love will triumph through the strength of the human spirit.

L'Chaim ... to LIFE!

Snippet_Darkness_to_Light.jpgMembers of the audience were invited to bring a pair of good shoes to build our 'mountain' of shoes which was donated to charity.

Darkness to Light souvenir CD box set

InterOpera are proud to present on CD the live recording of Darkness to Light. This specially-produced set of 2 CDs records all the music, readings and commissions heard on that very special occasion, marking the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of Bergen-Belsen.
The InterOpera team have worked voluntarily to produce this recording especially for those who played a part in making this such an outstanding evening, whether a backstage volunteer at the performance or one of our extra-special cast.
The quality is exceptional and all proceeds will go directly to the work of the charity. 
This limited edition set is available at only £10 + £2 postage and packing.
Download the order form.

 

With gratitude to 366ink, The Barbour Foundation, Samuel Barnett, The Alfred Caplin Charity Settlement, Association of Jewish Refugees, Caroline (St Leonard's on Sea), R & L Jacobson Trust, Kings Lodge Hotel Durham, The Kohn Foundation, The Lovell Trust, Marriott Hotels, Mike Raab, The Northern Brass Band Trust, the Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove and Weardale Action Partnership for their generous support.