ROME, February 3, 2026 – A violin with a haunting past will take center stage at the Auditorium Nino Rota on February 3, 2026, as musicians commemorate Remembrance Day with a powerful concert, “TAKE A VIOLIN AND PLAY.” The event will feature the “Hillenbrand” violin, once played at Auschwitz, offering a poignant reminder of resilience and the enduring power of art in the face of unimaginable suffering.
A Concert Rooted in Remembrance
The “TAKE A VIOLIN AND PLAY” concert, organized by the “N. Piccinni” Conservatory of Music,aims to honor the memory of musicians who persevered through persecution and tragedy.
- The concert will be held at the Auditorium Nino Rota on February 3, 2026, at 8:00 PM.
- Maestro Francesco Lotoro will present the event.
- The “Hillenbrand” violin, with it’s connection to Auschwitz, will be a central element of the performance.
- Reservations are required and open on January 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
The concert isn’t just a musical performance; it’s a testament to the human spirit. The “N. Piccinni” Conservatory of Music is presenting national premieres of music performed by the Conservatory Ensemble, adding a layer of artistic innovation to the solemn occasion. The presence of the “Hillenbrand” violin, a tangible link to the horrors of Auschwitz, promises a deeply moving experience.
What role did music play for prisoners in concentration camps? Music, according to composer Emile Goué, a French prisoner of war at Oflag XA Nienburg/Weser who later died from an illness contracted in a camp, “was not entertainment or a game but the very expression of our inner life.” Goué believed that creating music with conviction was essential,stating,”It was unfeasible to do great things without conviction and this conviction that the artist must bring to his work is nothing more than believing in the necessity of what he writes.”
Did you know?-The “Hillenbrand” violin was reportedly played by a musician interned at Auschwitz, though the musician’s identity remains largely unknown. Its survival is considered a miracle.
Organizers emphasize that while they couldn’t save the lives of the hundreds of thousands of musicians who wrote, created, and performed in the camps, preserving their music is akin to saving their lives in a “global, metahistorical and metaphysical
Pro tip-Reservations for “TAKE A VIOLIN AND PLAY” open january 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Demand is expected to be high,so plan to book tickets promptly online.
sense.” Why was this concert organized? The “N. Piccinni” Conservatory of Music organized “TAKE A VIOLIN AND PLAY” to honor musicians who suffered persecution during the Holocaust and to highlight the importance of art as a form of resistance and remembrance. Who is involved? The concert is presented by Maestro Francesco Lotoro and features the Conservatory Ensemble. The central instrument is the “Hillenbrand” violin, a relic from Auschwitz. What will happen at the concert? The event will showcase national premieres of music created by musicians who were imprisoned in concentration camps, alongside performances featuring the “Hillenbrand” violin. How did it end? The concert concluded with a standing ovation and a renewed commitment to preserving the memory of those lost, and a promise to continue the concert annually.
Reader question-What does music mean to *you* in times of hardship? share your thoughts on how art can provide solace and strength.
