1933 — The Turning Point: Art, Oppression, and Resistance
Presented by Chicago Opera Theater & the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
Monday, February 9
Harold Washington Library Center Auditorium
Join us for a powerful evening of music, history, and reflection as the Chicago Opera Theater and the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center present 1933: The Turning Point — Art, Oppression, and Resistance. This unique program explores how the year 1933 marked a seismic shift in European history and the arts, as Adolf Hitler’s rise to power unleashed a wave of antisemitism, censorship, and cultural suppression.
Through live musical excerpts from Der Silbersee (The Silver Lake)—a bold allegorical work by composer Kurt Weill and playwright Georg Kaiser—audiences will experience how art became a form of resistance in the face of tyranny. Banned shortly after its premiere, Der Silbersee remains a testament to the enduring power of creativity and courage.
This event combines performance, historical context, and dialogue to illuminate the moral and political crises of the time—and invites us to consider their relevance today.
Do not miss this moving collaboration between two leading cultural institutions. Registration details will be shared soon.