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A Child of Our Time

A performance of Michael Tippett's secular oratorio A Child of Our Time, a protest against persecution and tyranny with an overriding message of peace.

Michael Tippett's secular oratorio A Child of Our Time is his most widely performed work. It is an impassioned protest against persecution and tyranny with an overriding message of peace. Renowned British baritone and composer Roderick Williams takes a look at the story behind A Child of Our Time and introduces conductor Mark Wigglesworth, the 麻豆社 National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales and soloists Tamara Wilson (soprano), Susan Bickley (mezzo-soprano), Peter Hoare (tenor) and James Creswell (bass).

In 1938, a young Polish Jew, whose parents were deported by the Nazis, shot a German diplomat in Paris. The Nazis seized on the assassination to rile Hitler's supporters into an anti-Semitic frenzy. Tippett shared the public horror at the events that followed and in 1939, began writing a musical protest, a work that expressed deep rage at the unprecedented crimes being committed by the Nazi regime, and despair at man's ability to commit acts of inhumanity.

1 hour, 15 minutes

Music Played

  • Michael Tippett

    A Child Of Our Time

    Orchestra: 麻豆社 National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: James Henshaw. Performer: Tamara Wilson. Performer: Susan Bickley. Performer: Peter Hoare. Performer: James Creswell. Choir: 麻豆社 National Chorus of Wales.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Roderick Williams
Director Kerry Clark
Producer Martyn Stevens
Conductor Mark Wigglesworth
Orchestra 麻豆社 National Orchestra of Wales
Choir 麻豆社 National Chorus of Wales
Performer Tamara Wilson
Performer Susan Bickley
Performer Peter Hoare
Performer James Creswell
Musician Lesley Hatfield
Conductor James Henshaw

Broadcast

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