Diversity Destroyed / Zerstörte Vielfalt 1933 – 1938. City of Berlin theme year 2013 of commemoration, remembrance, warning and discussion of the Nazis’ assumption of power in 1933 and the pogroms of 1938. Unter den Linden , Berlin , Germany, September 8, 2013. Berlin 1933 | 20200908 | Michel van der Burg | 1-memo•com
PUSH opera at La Monnaie Opera House in Brussels – Online via OperaVision
OperaVision
Today , 7 August 2020, the Brussels’ PUSH opera recorded March 13, 2019 at La Monnaie Opera House has been made available online for the next 6 months (until 5 Feb. 2021) with subtitles in English, French and Dutch and with the option of auto-translation into over 100 other languages via the OperaVision platform – portal of the Opera Europa, European association of opera companies and festivals. http://operavision.eu/en
PUSH made its world première on Saturday 1 October 2016 at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill on Sea (UK). This powerfull inspirational community opera was specially commisioned from Howard Moody (composer , conductor, musical director) by Battle Festival (Sally Lampitt, festival director and producer, and Dave Furness, chairman) for Battle Festival 2016 and the ROOT 1066 International Festival in partnership with Glyndebourne and the De La Warr Pavilion. Simon Gronowski attended the premiere.
The opera is inspired by the true story of Simon Gronowski, whose mother pushed him off a train heading to Auschwitz in 1943 – an action that saved his life and gave the opera its name.
Howard Moody first met Simon Gronowski at a performance of his opera Sindbad in 2014 at La Monnaie Opera House in Brussels. Simon told the Howard the story of his escape and life and ended with the phrase “Ma Vie N’est Que Miracles !”. Moody was so moved he promised that night to write his next opera about Simon.
Howard’s opera PUSH tells the story of Simon’s escape from the 20th Convoy Train on April 19, 1943 – how his mother pushed Simon off the train – and the recent story of Simon meeting and forgiving his former camp guard of deportation camp Mechelen , some years ago.
PUSH was directed by Simon Iorio in Bexhill and later that month at the nearby St Mary’s Church in Battle , and performed by the PUSH orchestra , the Battle Festival Community Choir and PUSH singers — a cast made up of singers of all abilities from Battle and the surrounding area — children, teenagers and adults were resistance fighters, collaborators and prisoners — while three professional soloists played the roles of Simon (James Newby), Simon’s Sister (Tereza Gevorgyan) and the Guard (Matthew Stiff).
PUSH tells Simon’s story but also deals with much broader themes of persecution — a story of our times, full of themes of hope and togetherness, separation, and fear.
The PUSH community opera was next performed in the UK in Salisbury and Chichester (2018), and with a special performance to mark International Holocaust Memorial Day in January 2019 at the Speaker’s House in Westminster, London (hosted by The House of Commons, Chichester MP Gillian Keegan) that was attended by leaders in the Jewish community along with members from both houses of Parliament.
March 2019 PUSH premiered in Simon Gronowski’s hometown , in Brussels at La Monnaie Opera House and was performed in the presence of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Simon Gronowski and family. Director of the Brussels’ performance was Benoît De Leersnyder and Howard was conductor of La Monnaie’s Chamber Music Ensemble with a mixed youth and adult Chorus / La Monnaie’s Children’s and Youth Chorus. Soloists were James Newby (Simon), Sheva Tehoval (Simon’s sister) , Ivan Ludlow (Guard) and Felix Cooper / Thylan Aerts / Milo Avalosse / Djurre Diels (Young Simon). Lighting designer was Ace McCarron. Sets & Costumes by Emilie Lauwers and both Emilie Lauwers & Simon Van Rompay did the Video work.
PUSH Opera – Finale with giant choir – Lockdown 2020 🇧🇪 🇬🇧
Finally, during the lockdown 2020, singers from all four casts of the previous productions in Belgium and UK – Bexhill, Battle, Salisbury, Chichester, London and Brussels – recorded their parts to create a virtual giant choir of over 150 opera singers.
The film ‘My life is only miracles’ – the finale of Howard Moody‘s opera PUSH – was edited by Shogo Hino – with additional work by Michel van der Burg , Miracles.Media – and released online the night of April 19th 2020 to mark the 77th anniversary of protagonist Simon Gronowski’s escape from the death train Transport XX to Auschwitz. That night more than 200 prisoners escaped from the train before the German border after three Brussels resistance heroes stopped that Nazi train Transport XX, transporting 1600 Jewish deportees to Auschwitz.
Following the online premiere of this virtual performance of Howard Moody’s PUSH finale that was created during lockdown , the La Monnaie Opera House too made available temporarily last April for screening online the entire opera of PUSH, performed in March 2019 in Brussels.
OperaVision featuring PUSH online
Today , 7 August 2020, the Brussels’ PUSH opera recorded March 13, 2019 has been made available online for the next 6 months (until 5 Feb. 2021) with subtitles in English, French and Dutch and with the option of auto-translation into over 100 other languages via the OperaVision platform – portal of the Opera Europa, European association of opera companies and festivals. http://operavision.eu/en
Interview with with Sue Kent and Howard Moody. By Wiltshire Creative , April 2020
This Big Interview is with composer Howard Moody and Sue Kent, founder member of Salisbury Arts Centre and general manager of La Folia. They are in conversation with Wiltshire Creative’s Take Part Director, Louise Dancy.
link https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=565415244109794
PUSH Opera – Bexhill | Battle Festival 2016
PUSH Opera – Live recording of the world premiere on 1 October 2016 at the De La Warr Pavilion – Music and libretto by Howard Moody – Commissioned by Battle Festival
online link https://vimeo.com/199353255
Boortmeerbeek Station ~ Transport XX commemoration May 15, 2011 in Boortmeerbeek, Belgium. Film : 20200512 Michel van der Burg | michelvanderburg.com | miracles.media
EN – Régine Krochmal ~ May 11, 2012 tribute to a courageous resistance fighter.
Régine Krochmal, who in 1943 courageously escaped from the 20th train from Mechelen to Auschwitz, died May 11, 2012 in Brussels.
That day I made and published a short compilation of images of Régine that I had filmed a year earlier at the Transport XX commemoration in Boortmeerbeek May 15, 2011. ( https://youtu.be/L0Q76tNOLFA at my obsolete channel iClip).
Today May 11, 2020 – 8 years later – I made this remake with improved sound , image , a larger format, and an additional ‘thank you’ from Régine.
Credits
Régine Krochmal
Thanks to friends in Boortmeerbeek.
Remake of May 11, 2012 film ‘Régine Krochmal – a tribute’ filmed May 15, 2011 at the Transport XX commemoration in Boortmeerbeek, Belgium.
Music : Last Post by trumpet player Freddy Verschuren.
Film : Régine Krochmal (20200511 – 20200512) Michel van der Burg | michelvanderburg.com | miracles.media
Speech (translated from dutch)
Never forget that nothing is so powerful as life!
Life gives us gifts continually:
our heart to love – our soul to find true joy – and our conscience to increase our joy, by flexibility of our heart.
Each of us should let his inner wealth flourish.
Like Robert Maistriau, Youra Livschitz and Jean Franklemon have done.
For which we are grateful to them, to this day.
Merci…
News
Update 20200512 : correction – added Last Post in film remake (20200511).
NL – Régine Krochmal ~ 11 mei 2012 eerbetoon aan een moedige verzetsstrijdster.
Régine Krochmal, die in 1943 moedig ontsnapte uit de 20e trein van Mechelen naar Auschwitz, stierf op 11 mei 2012 in Brussel.
Die dag maakte en publiceerde ik een korte compilatie van beelden van Régine die ik een jaar eerder had gefilmd bij de herdenking van Transport XX in Boortmeerbeek op 15 mei 2011. (https://youtu.be/L0Q76tNOLFA op mijn verouderde kanaal iClip).
Vandaag 11 mei 2020 – 8 jaar later – heb ik deze remake gemaakt met verbeterd geluid, beeld, een groter formaat en een extra bedankje van Régine.
Credits
Régine Krochmal
Met dank aan vrienden in Boortmeerbeek.
Remake van 11 mei 2012 film ‘Régine Krochmal – een eerbetoon’, gefilmd op 15 mei 2011 bij de herdenking van Transport XX in Boortmeerbeek, België.
Muziek: Last Post van trompettist Freddy Verschuren.
Film: Régine Krochmal (20200511 – 20200512) Michel van der Burg | michelvanderburg.com | miracles.media
Speech (originele tekst)
We mogen echter nooit vergeten, dat niets zo sterk is als het leven.
Het leven geeft ons voortdurend geschenken: ons hart om te beminnen – onze ziel om de echte vreugde te vinden – ons geweten om onze vreugde te vergroten, door de soepelheid van ons hart.
Iedere mens moet zijn innerlijke rijkdom, laten openbloeien.
Zoals Robert Maistriau, Youra Livschitz en Jean Franklemon gedaan hebben.
Waarvoor we hen, tot op vandaag dankbaar zijn.
Nieuws
Update 20200512 : correctie – Last Post nu ook in film remake (20200511).
NL – SIMON GRONOWSKI PUSH & PIANO
Simon Gronowski’s speech over de PUSH Opera … het genie van Howard Moody, de vele mensen rond de wieg van dit wonder … de emotie van koningin Mathilde van België, en speelt piano tijdens de herdenking van 2019 van Transport XX in Boortmeerbeek.
De nieuwste – nu virtuele – uitvoering van de community opera PUSH met meer dan 150 zangers uit de vier casts en koren uit het Groot Brittanië en België werd vorige week door iedereen zelf thuis opgenomen en is nu online te zien sinds de première op 19 april 2020 via deze link https://youtu.be/-sm1rI-j5iE precies 77 jaar nadat Youra Livschitz, Robert Maistriau en Jean Franklemon Transport XX stopten.
De PUSH-opera is gebaseerd op het verhaal van Simon Gronowski. En het nieuwe virtuele optreden ‘PUSH’ is ook uniek met het nu integreren van beelden van Simon’s leven.
Transport XX herdenking in Boortmeerbeek, België (2019)
Muziek: Simon Gronowski op piano
Film: Simon Gronowski Push & Piano (20200422) Michel van der Burg | michelvanderburg.com | miracles.media
EN – SIMON GRONOWSKI PUSH & PIANO Simon Gronowski speaks – in dutch and french – on the PUSH Opera … the genius of Howard Moody, the many people around the crib of this miracle … the emotion of Queen Mathilde of Belgium , and plays the piano during the 2019 commemoration of the attack of the 20th convoy – Transport XX – on stage in Boortmeerbeek, Belgium.
The latest – now virtual – performance of community opera PUSH with more than 150 singers from the four casts and choruses form the UK & Belgium was made last week by all at home, and is now screening online from the premiere the 19th April 2020 here https://youtu.be/-sm1rI-j5iE … exactly 77 years after the three Brussels resistance heroes Youra Livschitz, Robert Maistriau and Jean Franklemon stopped the Nazi train Transport XX, transporting 1600 Jewish deportees to Auschwitz, and more than 200 prisoners escaped from the train before the German border – that attack is unique in the history of the Holocaust.
The PUSH opera is based on Simon Gronowski’s story. And the new virtual performance film ‘PUSH’ is unique also in now integrating images of Simon’s life – the 11 year old Jewish boy who was pushed from the train – Transport XX – by his mother on the way to Auschwitz , April 19th, 1943.
Commemoration attack Transport XX in Boortmeerbeek, Belgium (2019). Music : Simon Gronowski on piano.
Film : Simon Gronowski Push & Piano (20200422) Michel van der Burg | michelvanderburg.com | miracles.media
① memo 20181215 ~ Ferdinand Popleu’s Poppy ~ (EN below) Ferdinand Popleu – Voorzitter N.S.B. Oud-strijdersbond Boortmeerbeek – is afgelopen zaterdag 8 december overleden op 94-jarige leeftijd.
Hier een korte film als eerbetoon aan Ferdinand , van onze laatste ontmoeting in April tijdens de Transport XX herdenking in Boortmeerbeek , België – met Ferdinand Popleu – pleitbezorger van respect voor de vrede – trots op zijn geliefde medailles en Vlaamse klaproos – ‘bloed van de soldaten … klaproos’ leerde hij mij.
Vandaag nemen familie en vrienden afscheid van Ferdinand Popleu , en krijgt hij zijn laatste rustplaats op het oudstrijdersperk van de begraafplaats in Boortmeerbeek.
EN
Ferdinand Popleu – Chairman of the Boortmeerbeek N.S.B. – National Veterans of Belgium Association – died last Saturday, December 8th, at the age of 94.
Here my short film tribute to Ferdinand , of our last meeting April this year at the Transport XX commemoration in Boortmeerbeek , Belgium – with Ferdinand Popleu – advocate for respect for peace – proudly wearing his cherished medals and Flanders poppy – ‘bloed van de soldaten … klaproos’ he told me : soldier’s blood , poppy …
Today Family and friends say final goodbye to Ferdinand Popleu – he gets his final resting place at the veterans field of the cemetery in Boortmeerbeek.
michelvanderburg•com 