There are many composers in recent years who have written works to commemorate an event, honor a person, or call attention to an important contemporary issue: wars, heroes, social and political movements, climate change, the environment are all addressed in various works, from major orchestral and choral pieces to chamber works and songs. However, there is a work–an opera–written exactly 80 years ago that was not only very pertinent to events of its time but still manages to remain uncannily relevant to what is happening in today’s world. You can learn about it, and read the review of an excellent recording below.
