The Secret Poetess of Terezin - song credits
Pre-show pre-recorded: Wiegala - music Ilse Weber, lyrics Ilse Weber, L. Lichtenberg; Keep on Running - music and lyrics L. Lichtenberg; In Golden Sunlight - music Milli Janatková, lyrics Anna Hana Friesová (in Czech)
Live: Open my eyes - music trad. Yemenite (D’ror Yikra), lyrics L. Lichtenberg; Modim - text liturgy, music Shirona
Performance is 68 minutes long, with no intermission.
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Underscore Maminka show theme by L. Lichtenberg, composed by Jessica Deutsch
Spoken word There is Nothing More Beautiful music Andrew McPherson
Underscore piano The Art of a Good-bye music Fern Lindzon
SONG Togetherness music L. Lichtenberg
Underscore Tece voda Czech folksong
SONG Shrouded Padlock music Andrew McPherson
Underscore Chasing Time music Lorie Wolf
Poem My Paradise of Solitude
SONG Footprints music L. Lichtenberg
SONG with doc video I have my own grief music L. Lichtenberg
SONG with video I Wanted to Curse You music Milli Janatková
Spoken word Feet Are Marching music L. Lichtenberg
SONG with sand art video Remember the Sun music Rachel Cohen, L. Lichtenberg
Spoken word Begging and Waiting music Andrew McPherson
SONG Feel With Blood music L. Lichtenberg
SONG with ocean video Robinson music L. Lichtenberg
SONG Wintery Dusk music Jessica Deutsch
SONG with video/ orchestra Waiting at the End of an Alley music Shy-Anne Hovorka (song in Czech with subtitles)
SONG A Nay Kleyd lyrics Rachel Korn, music L. Lichtenberg
SONG Drip Away music L. Lichtenberg, Ilan Shahin
SONG Wild Beastly Water music L. Lichtenberg
Underscore Maminka
Note: all poetry/ song lyrics except A Nay Kleyd are from Anna Hana Friesová Theresienstadt notebooks, written in the Czech language and translated to English or adapted by L. Lichtenberg. All arrangements by L. Lichtenberg
The Secret Poetess of Terezín - solo Thieves of Dreams- ensemble
Senisdream Productions & Meta4Music present:
The Secret Poetess of Terezín - solo performance
Thieves of Dreams - ensemble performance (S, M, L)
by Lenka Lichtenberg
Passionate stories of love, loss, hope and dreams, evolving and dissolving under the pressure of monumental historical events.
Immerse yourself in an intimate, intensely personal, yet ultimately universal narrative based on notebooks written by the artist’s grandmother in a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Savour the gorgeous music that won Canada’s top music prize.
A passionate woman's stories, carried by Lenka’s “breathtakingly beautiful” voice and engaging storytelling skills, come alive through songs, spoken word, archival projections, and specially curated video clips to create a powerful narrative arc and singular, immersive performing arts experience.
https://fringereview.co.uk/review/edinburgh-fringe/2024/the-secret-poetess-of-terezin/ August 15, 2024 / FringeReview ‘Excellent Show”
A testament to the resilience and creativity of the human spirit, the show is based on recently discovered notebooks written by the Czech-Canadian artist’s grandmother in Theresienstadt, who was imprisoned there from 1942 to 1945. These writings - poems collected, adapted, personalized and sometimes created by Anna Hana herself- formed the lyrical basis for Ms. Lichtenberg’s Thieves of Dreams album, which won the Global Music of the Year Award at Canada’s 2023 JUNO Awards. The incredible response to the album from critics and fans alike inspired Lenka to create an ensemble show under the same name, and now, a remarkable one-person play based on the album and the deeply-rooted family story behind it.
From National Music Centre, Calgary: https://vimeo.com/1017669331
In 2023, Lenka Lichtenberg’s Senisdream Productions joined forces with Meta4Music to present The Secret Poetess in Terezin internationally, with standing ovations from Copenhagen, Denmark (June, 2023) and Sao Paolo, Brazil (November, 2023) to Calgary, Winnipeg and Ottawa in Canada, Theresienstadt, Czechia (June 2024) and Sydney (December 2024). Their August, 2024 debut at Edinburgh Festival Fringe delighted those who love impactful true stories and rich, uplifting music.
PRODUCTION PHOTOS: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/cozpoyvmr0su3bslkhmzo/AGb585oXI-aTGlHykAo7Q-s?rlkey=p7kii996txolfez91acgvyib7&st=9rjdinya&dl=0
‘A magnificent show, with great music and the beautiful performance of the author Lenka Lichtenberg, whose sweet and subtle interpretation brings a ray of happiness and hope to those attending.’ Nicole Borger, Kleztival, Sao Paolo, Brazil
‘Incredibly touching. A moving way to honour history and make sure we never forget.’ Talia Schlanger, CBC Q
‘Beautiful music...a mellifluous cross-pollination of world music and jazz.’ Montreal Gazette
‘A gorgeous tribute...Lichtenberg’s voice is a treasure...simply stunning, despite the provenance.’ ★★★★ Mojo Magazine
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In 2023, Thieves of Dreams, based on notebooks that my grandmother brought back with her from the concentration camp Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, won the JUNO Award, and several impactful performances that filled me with hope followed: not everyone wants to turn away from the theme of the Holocaust. I have been hoping that those who give it a chance, will find that this project, this performance is - despite the heavy backdrop - imbued with love, hope, light, and survival, even more than the darkness and death that inevitably exist there as well. Since then, my hope has become a reality. The show has taken on a life of its own, and now is also a solo performance that seems to go over very well with the audience. Standing ovation at the National Music Centre's sold out performance in Calgary; beautiful and meaningful bookings such as in Theresienstadt where my family was imprisoned; others to look forward to. My grandmother's notebooks continue to propel me on an icredible, unexpected journey of a lifetime.