SJ children performing in Holocaust opera ‘Brundibar’

She is a disarming and articulate 13-year-old who has had her bat mitzvah at Temple Emanuel, loves music, and has, like so many of her contemporaries, read “The Diary of Anne Frank.”

Preparing for a rehearsal of “Brundibar and the Children of Theresienstadt” were (from left), Brittany Yesner, Dillon Rebock, Emily Karpf, Musical and Stage Director Karen Saillant, and Alexis Rebock. Unlike most of her peers, however, Emily Karpf has been deeply enmeshed in a project that makes the Holocaust more vivid to her than even reading that powerful and iconic book. For the past several weeks, Emily, the daughter of Betsy and Dennis Karpf, has been rehearsing for a remarkable opera being presented by the International Opera Theater at Philadelphia’s International House.

“Brundibar and the Children of Theresienstadt” is the riveting and poignant tale of children in the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp during World War II. All the performers are children from 6-18 from the Delaware Valley, including Emily, and several other Jewish children from South Jersey.

The current production was adapted from the original opera by Hans Krasa, a Czech Jewish composer who was at Theresienstadt, which was also known as Terezin, and who ultimately died at Auschwitz in 1944.

Krasa had the opera smuggled into Theresienstadt by Rudolph Freudenfeld, a young conductor, and together, they had produced it 55 times with the children at the camp. As some of the cast members were deported to Auschwitz, the cast kept changing, a horrendous testament to what was happening. Of 15,000 children who were imprisoned at the camp, only an estimated 100 survived.

The opera itself, with its metaphors about Hitler and inhumanity, became an inspiration to Philadelphia’s Karen Saillant, founder of the International Opera Theater. Her original script is partially based on her research at Gratz College’s Holocaust Archive.

Saillant created the opera company in 2004 “…to encourage self-discovery and open avenues of communication among diverse populations,” often using opera as her creative medium. “Brundibar” became a perfect vehicle for the messages she so urgently wants to impart.

For Emily Karpf, this is not entirely new terrain. Last year, her voice teacher, who had been approached by Saillant, recommended Emily for the same production of “Brundibar.”

“I had never been in an opera before, so I wasn’t sure what I was getting into,” said Emily, who ended up as the Bird character, one of the significant leads in the production. “It was such a moving experience to be in the show. I learned so much, and felt so much. I have the same part this year, and I love it—the only challenge is doing it with a different cast,” said Emily, who has watched non-Jewish youngsters in the cast share her passion for the opera. “It’s really moving to see them care so much.”

It’s been moving for Emily’s parents, too. Betsy and Dennis Karpf are justifiably proud of their daughter’s willingness to sacrifice her limited free time, and to dedicate herself to the demanding production. “Last year, I watched a few rehearsals, and also developed strong bonds with other parents. It was a phenomenal experience for our entire family,” said Betsy. The Karpfs had been on a family trip to Europe, where they visited Dachau. Now they hope to share another trip with Emily, this one to possibly include Theresienstadt.

The commitment to the production also has been made by Dillon Rebock, 14, and his sister Alexis, 12. Dillon, a veteran of community theater and TV commercials, and an eighth grade student at the Rosa School, plays Brundibar himself, a misanthropic organ grinder in this opera about friendship, good defeating evil, and the virtues of courage, cooperation and unified action against tyranny.

“I’ve never had to play anyone as evil as Brundibar,” said Dillon, “and I’ve never done an opera. But I’m really happy I got involved. I’ve learned about the Holocaust at Hebrew School at Temple Emanuel, but this really has taught me a lot.”

For Alexis Rebock, who is part of the opera’s ensemble, the experience has been both challenging and rewarding. “It’s really so sad – this makes the Holocaust very real,” said Alexis, a student at Beck Middle School.

Tracey and Jeffrey Rebock see the blend of Judaism and theater as great exposure for their children, and recognize that performing in an opera is an extraordinary creative experience. “Initially, they were focused on learning the script and score, but now, the emotional part is coming through, and they are, of course, affected by it.”

Brittany Yesner, 13, a seventh grader at Beck Middle School, already has been involved in theater. “I love it!” she said. “I’ve done a couple of shows at the Ritz in Oaklyn, and it’s always so much fun.”

But Brittany recognizes that “Brundibar” is about more than fun.

Like the other youngsters in the play, Brittany steps forward at the end to speak the name of one of the children who did not survive the Holocaust. It is a moving, powerful moment for each cast member—and for audiences.

“My person’s name is Ana Wolfer. And my saying it when it’s never been said before is very, very special to me,” said Brittany. “Now and forever, Ana is a name, not just a number.”

“Brundibar and the Children of Theresienstadt” is being presented by the International Opera Theater at the Ibrahim Theater of International House, 3701 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. The last public performance is on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10. There are weekday performances on Jan. 27 and 29 for school groups.

For tickets and information, call 215-545-4385.