The Great Disruption Austrian Female Writers Reflect on the Fateful Year 1938 A literary-musical Collage

The so-called “Anschluss”, the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany on March 12, 1938, significantly aggravated the already desperate situation of the Jews. The gate to hate and discrimination was opened further, the marginalization and persecution of the Jewish population in Germany and Austria was intensified. In the night of November 9, 1938, Jewish shops throughout Nazi Germany were looted and destroyed, and synagogues burnt down.

Among the artists, who soon had to flee their native Austria, were a number of female writers. This literary collage gives voice to the experiences and reflections of Rose Ausländer, Vicki Baum, Veza Canetti, Mascha Kaléko, Maria Ley Piscator, Berta Zuckerkandl, and Hermynia zur Mühlen.

Songs by banned composers, such as Egon Lustgarten, Alma Mahler, Karl and Vally Weigl complement the program.

Concept and Introduction: Michael Lahr

Narrator: Gregorij von Leitis

Piano: Richard Cordova

Sopranos: Jeannie Im and Alexis Rodda