LITERATURE + LECTURES

Holocaust Museum Houston presents Inspiration: Lawrence Siegel Discusses the Creation of “Kaddish," Sunday, October 24, 2010, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM. Location:  The Holocaust Museum Albert and Ethel Herzstein Theater.

“Kaddish” composer Lawrence Siegel (pictured) has said, “My job as a composer is to use powerful words and stories to cause a visceral, emotional experience in the audience. If I have done my job well, the music will amplify those those feelings.” The New Hampshire composer will introduce his hour-long oratorio for chorus, soloists and orchestra in this free public lecture.

The “Kaddish” libretto is inspired by and fashioned from the testimony of survivors of the Holocaust, including Houston survivors Celina Fein, Walter Kase, Bill Morgan and Naomi Warren. On Nov. 23 the Houston Symphony and Holocaust Museum Houston will present this important musical piece and the heroic journey of the Holocaust survivors whose personal testimony provides the verbatim text and framework for this engaging performance.

Siegel’s work follows the survivors’ experiences from pre-war Europe, through the war and Holocaust, to the hope and strength of Warren’s words "I am here. I survived, and look who is with me” as she returns to visit Auschwitz. Siegel’s “Kaddish” is music of remembrance and hope, providing a window into history and a musical mosaic of survivors’ lives and experiences. “

Admission is free, but seating is limited, and advance registration is required. Visit http://www.hmh.org/RegisterEvent.aspx  to RSVP online. For more information, call 713-942-8000 or e-mail events@hmh.org.

To purchase tickets for the Nov. 23 performance of “Kaddish,” call 713-224-7575 or visit http://www.houstonsymphony.org.