Frau Schindler to provide new perspective on the Holocaust

What do you know about the other Schindler?

On Feb. 5, the USC Thornton Opera will present a concert reading of Frau Schindler, a new opera written by composer and alumnus Thomas Morse, in collaboration with librettist Ken Cazan, chair of the Vocal Arts and Opera program. Set in Nazi-occupied Europe, the piece explores the social and moral dilemmas faced by Oskar Schindler’s wife, Emilie, and her role in their attempts to save the lives of more than a thousand Jewish prisoners-of-war during the Holocaust.

Morse, an accomplished film composer, lived in Germany in 2003, where he began to research the project. In his program notes, he explains, “[Frau Schindler] is about the psychology of the times — how people were able to turn things around in their minds, in order to rationalize and live with their actions.

“It shows how two people in the exact same set of circumstances can see things from entirely different perspectives.”

How it came to be

Cazan, who is resident stage director of the USC Thornton Opera, became involved with the project several years ago when a colleague approached him about Morse’s plans for an opera based on the life of Emilie Schindler. The subject resonated with the director, who is known for bringing strong and resilient female characters to the forefront of his productions.

“The idea for the project thrilled me because I come from an intensely matriarchal family,” Cazan said.

In the original libretto they created for the opera, Cazan and Morse sought to shed light on the enigmatic relationship between Oskar and Emilie and the many ordeals that women faced during World War II. The opera’s story emphasizes Emilie’s crucial role in the struggle against the Holocaust, examining historical dimensions of the Schindlers’ lives that scholars have only recently uncovered.

It’s always the women who pick up the rubble within this structure of war.

Ken Cazan

“[Emilie] is fighting to maintain her own identity,” Cazan explained. “It’s always the women who pick up the rubble within this structure of war.”

The title role will be sung by mezzo-soprano Blythe Gaissert, who will sing alongside baritone Troy Cook as Oskar Schindler. Both are accomplished international artists who have worked with Cazan in the past.

A long journey has just begun

The talented artists of USC Thornton’s Vocal Arts program will undertake the remaining roles, a combination of both historical and fictionalized characters. Graduate student Alyssa Wills will portray Marthe Marker, a Jewish prisoner assigned to work as a housekeeper for the Schindlers.

“[Marthe Marker] is one of the few fictional characters in the opera,” Wills said, reflecting on the demands of learning a brand new piece. “Not having a recording to work off of is definitely challenging.”

Although the upcoming performance at USC’s Alfred Newman Recital Hall will be a concert reading, Morse and Cazan will relish the opportunity to hear the entire opera, with orchestra, for the first time. Details of Frau Schindler’s fully staged world premiere with a major European opera company are currently being finalized.

“It has been a very long journey,” noted Cazan, looking ahead to the reading. But the journey for this stirring new opera has just begun.