Le Roi David by A. Honegger

"King David" ranks among the masterpieces of twentieth-century oratorio and is one of the most important works by the composer, who was a member of "Les Six", the group of six French composers. As the composer himself produced a version of the oratorio for a small ensemble, I had the opportunity to stage it in Varazdin in northern Croatia, where I live and work. In addition to its musical and artistic value, the project placed significant emphasis on interfaith dialogue: the performance took place in the town's former synagogue. In the former place of worship, now a ruin, an oratorio dealing with one of the most significant chapters in Israeli history was performed. It was performed by the choir of the Catholic Cathedral in Varazdin, the Croatian Military Orchestra and renowned Croatian singers and actors. Welcoming addresses were given by the Mayor of Varazdin, a rabbi from Zagreb and the Bishop of Varazdin. What began as a concert thus became a commemoration of the Shoah, probably the first in the history of Varazdin.