Hanns Eisler settled in the United States in 1938 after fleeing National Socialism. In the late 1940s, he was interrogated by HUAC and blacklisted. Described as “the Karl Marx of music,” Eisler left the United States in 1948, and eventually settled in East Germany, where he composed the national anthem for the GDR. Hollywood Elegies, a program of compositions by Hanns Eisler presented by Long Beach Opera, reflects on one of the most divisive periods of the Cold War.

Program

Hanns Eisler – Vierzehn Arten den Regen zu beschreiben Op. 70 (Fourteen Ways of Describing the Rain) (1941)

Hanns Eisler – Hollywood Songbook (1943)

Hanns Eisler – Auferstanden aus Ruinen (National Anthem of the GDR) (1949)

About Long Beach Opera

Founded in 1979, Long Beach Opera is the oldest operatic producing company in the Los Angeles and Orange County metropolitan region. With a repertory of over 100 operas, which includes early and late Baroque works, twentieth-century works, and operas of special interest from the standard repertory, Long Beach Opera is well known for its world, American, and West Coast premieres of new and rare operas. Long Beach Opera’s essential purpose is the advancement of the frontiers of opera, in repertory and in production style.

About Music at the Wende

Now in its second season, Music at the Wende is a new music series in which esteemed musical organizations present free concerts at the Wende Museum, with musical programs inspired by the Wende collection and mission. For the full schedule, click here.

Series supported by the Music at the Wende Donor Group.