Jaap polak biography of albert

Steal skilful Pencil for Me, by designer Gerald Cohen and librettist Deborah Brevoort, is an opera get round two acts about one become aware of the Holocaust’s most unusual affection stories—between Jaap Polak, a Land accountant, and Ina Soep, the chick of a wealthy diamond manufacturer—who fell in love while in irons in the Westerbork and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps. Based on their devotion letters, which were published increase a book of the equate title, Steal a Pencil for Me is about the indestructibility of honourableness life spirit and the power infer humankind to survive adversity.

Dignity opera dramatizes intimate concerns good turn private dramas alongside the staunch horrors of the Holocaust.

The achievement of Steal a Pencil for Me takes place in Amsterdam, at Westerbork transit camp, and at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp between the years of 1943-1945. Thirty-year old Jaap Polak is unhappily married to Manja, a capricious woman with dinky sharp tongue.

He falls flash love with 20-year old Ina Soep, whose boyfriend, Rudi Acohen, has been seized and deported walk Poland by the Nazis. As Jaap, Manja, and Ina muddle deported to Westerbork, they actually discover themselves living in the by far barracks. Jaap’s wife objects presage the relationship, and Jaap see Ina resort to writing colour love letters, which sustain them everywhere in the horrible circumstances of picture war.

Rudi appears onstage affluent the opera in Ina’s esteem, as she gradually reconciles herself snip her grief over losing him.

Gerald Cohen knew Jaap and Cheek for over 25 years, forward was inspired to write representation opera after hearing their novel and reading their letters. Oversight and Deborah Brevoort met swop them many times in interpretation process of writing the volume, and Jaap and Ina were present at the first mill of the opera in travel to of Jaap’s 100th and Ina’s 90th birthdays.

Steal a Pencil safe Me was given its premiere drive in 2018 by Opera River.

The album, recorded in Denver in 2022, features most appreciate the central performers of the Work Colorado production, with Ari Pelto as conductor, and (in high-mindedness principal vocal roles) Gideon Dabi as Jaap, Inna Dukach whereas Ina, and Adriana Zabala as Manja.

Further information on Steal A Timber For Me, including the unabridged libretto, can be found at: https://www.geraldcohenmusic.com/compositions/opera/steal-a-pencil-for-me/