Happenings

Imagine being stripped of everything—your home, your family, your freedom. Now imagine standing in defiance, not with weapons, but with music. This is the extraordinary true story behind Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín, a concert-drama that intertwines Verdi’s breathtaking music with narration, survivor testimonies, and historical footage. It’s not just a performance; it’s a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

On March 15, the Yakima Symphony Orchestra and Yakima Symphony Chorus will bring this gripping performance to The Capitol Theatre, giving audiences a chance to experience the harrowing yet inspiring story of Jewish prisoners in the Terezín Concentration Camp. These prisoners, facing starvation, disease, and the constant threat of deportation to Auschwitz, found an unexpected source of resistance: music.

With only a single smuggled score, conductor Rafael Schächter gathered fellow prisoners to learn and perform Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem Mass. This was no ordinary concert. Schächter and his choir weren’t just singing—they were making a statement. As he famously told them, “We will sing to the Nazis what we cannot say to them.”

Against all odds, the prisoners performed Verdi’s Requiem at least sixteen times, including once before senior SS officers and an International Red Cross delegation. Each performance was an act of defiance, a declaration of their unbreakable spirit in the face of unimaginable horror.

Since its premiere in 2002, Defiant Requiem has been performed worldwide, including at Terezín itself. Through a unique blend of music, narration, survivor testimonies, and historical footage, the production ensures that the voices of these courageous prisoners are never forgotten. It brings history to life in a way that is deeply moving, reminding us all of the power of music as a force for resistance and hope.

But why Verdi’s Requiem? Originally composed to honor Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni, this monumental work speaks of judgment, redemption, and hope. Its sweeping intensity, operatic grandeur, and deeply emotional themes made it a fitting symbol of defiance for those imprisoned at Terezín. The music, filled with dramatic highs and haunting lows, echoed the prisoners’ own struggles and resilience.

Even outside of its historical context, Verdi’s Requiem is one of the most powerful choral works ever written. It takes listeners on an emotional journey—starting with a somber opening, building into the thunderous Dies Irae, and ending with a haunting plea for peace and salvation. When performed by prisoners who faced death daily, its meaning deepened into something far beyond a traditional sacred work. It became a cry for justice, a testament to their humanity, and a final act of artistic defiance.

Join us March 15, as the Yakima Symphony Orchestra and Yakima Symphony Chorus honor this remarkable story 7:30 at The Capitol Theatre. This is more than just a concert; it’s an opportunity to witness history, to remember those who stood against oppression, and to experience the profound impact of music as a tool of resistance.

Don’t miss this unforgettable tribute to courage and hope.

Get your tickets now at YSOmusic.org.