Grigori Frid's "The Diary of Anne Frank"

[Bob Wiener <wiener...>]

I just read George Robinson's long review in The Jewish Week (1/18/02) of a 
production of Grigori Frid's (spelled Fried on the CD) opera "The Diary of Anne 
Frank" in NYC.

The work and the performance receive a rave.  What I miss is any comment on 
whether the music or libretto in any way reflects Anne Frank's Jewishness.  I 
believe that the answer is no.  In other words, from the libretto I just read, 
there is not a single reference to Anne Frank's Jewishness.  In other words, 
one could listen to the entire opera and not be able to tell from the lyrics 
that Anne Frank was Jewish.  

Apparently there are indications in the set of this production at the very end. 
 And I haven't heard the music -- but George doesn't mention any Jewish music 
themes.  It seems that this is a work that "universalizes" Anne Frank at the 
expense of identifying her particularity as a Jew.  

Perhaps this is a reflection of the fact that the opera is, according to 
George, based on a publication of the diary in the Soviet Union in 1969.  
Perhaps that version edited out the Jewish sections.  (Note that it is probably 
not a matter of length -- this is a short opera and the libretto makes room for 
an entire section on Soviet military victories.

The issue of the elimination of Anne Frank's Jewish identification has 
deservedly received substantial attention in plays and film.  I believe that it 
deserves comment in reviews of musical works as well.  Especially when 
published in a Jewish periodical and described as "the best dramatization" of 
"The Diary of Anne Frank".

I ask for a response from George or any other list member who has seen this 
production.

Shavuah Tov,
Bob