To mark the 80th anniversary of Anne Frank’s death, this concert brings together the singers of the Maîtrise of the Opéra national du Rhin, several hundred young European vocalists, and an instrumental ensemble around Annelies, a moving oratorio by British composer James Whitbourn (1963–2024).
Annelies is the first large-scale choral work based on The Diary of Anne Frank, using extracts from the original text written between 1942 and 1944 while Anne and her family were in hiding in Amsterdam. The work draws its name from Anne’s full first name, Annelies Marie Frank.
Through expressive vocal writing and emotional orchestration, Whitbourn’s music captures the contrasting perspectives of a young girl confined indoors yet still deeply connected to the outside world—both the horrors of war and the beauty of the sky. Her reflections, filled with hope and clarity, resonate powerfully through this oratorio.
Originally commissioned for the UK’s National Holocaust Memorial Day, Annelies premiered in Westminster Hall, London, in January 2005. The complete version premiered a few months later at Cadogan Hall with the Choir of Clare College Cambridge and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin.
This 2024 performance offers a powerful and timely tribute, ideal for commemorative programming or cultural reflection. It stands as a compelling musical and educational document for audiences across generations.