Annelies: Anne Frank Tribute

A powerful choral tribute to Anne Frank, featuring Annelies by James Whitbourn, performed at the European Parliament.

To mark the 80th anniversary of Anne Frank’s death, this concert brings together the singers of the Maîtrise of the Opéra national du Rhin, several hundred young European vocalists, and an instrumental ensemble around Annelies, a moving oratorio by British composer James Whitbourn (1963-2024).

Annelies is the first large-scale choral work based on The Diary of Anne Frank, using extracts from the original text written between 1942 and 1944 while Anne and her family were in hiding in Amsterdam. The title comes from Anne’s full name, Annelies Marie Frank.

Through expressive vocal writing and emotional orchestration, Whitbourn’s music captures the duality of Anne’s world: the horror and fear of war, and the hope and beauty she still found by looking at the sky. Her reflections, filled with clarity and resilience, resonate throughout the piece.

Originally commissioned for the United Kingdom’s National Holocaust Memorial Day, Annelies premiered at Westminster Hall in London in January 2005. The full version followed a few months later at Cadogan Hall, performed by the Choir of Clare College Cambridge and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Slatkin.

This performance offers a poignant and timely tribute to Anne Frank. It is a compelling musical and educational work for commemorative programming, cultural broadcasts, and intergenerational reflection.

English title Annelies at the European Parliament : Anne Frank Tribute
Genre Live Show
Recording location European Parliament, Strasbourg
Production year 2025
Duration 105'
Video format HD
Distribution TV Auditorium Films