Concert for Heroes

Memory of Nations invites audiences to a benefit concert featuring violinist Ivan Štraus, pianist Josef Picek and opera singer Richard Novák. All three are witnesses whose stories form part of the Memory of Nations collection.

Štraus had to leave Prague's Academy of Performing Arts for political reasons, while Picek left Czechoslovak Radio during the period of Normalisation. Both later spent an important part of their teaching careers at the Pardubice Conservatory. Together with Richard Novák, they will perform in support of other witnesses.

The programme includes Bohuslav Martinů's Czech Rhapsody, Antonín Dvořák's Biblical Songs, works by Rudolf Karel and a violin sonata by Luboš Fišer. Special attention is given to Rudolf Karel, a member of the anti-Nazi resistance who composed while imprisoned and died in the Terezín Small Fortress.

Concert proceeds will support Memory of Nations' November collection for Veterans Day.