The Florida Holocaust Museum and the Florida Orchestra will host “Violins of Hope,” a concert showcasing Holocaust-era violins, violas and cellos that survived concentration camps, on March 20, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Palladium Theater in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla.
The evening is dedicated to celebrating resilience and remembrance, as well as the unyielding power of music. Israeli violinmakers Amnon and his son, Avshalom (“Avshi”) Weinstein, restored the instruments that will be played during the concert.
“These instruments once offered solace in unimaginable darkness, sometimes saving lives,” said Avshi. “Silenced by the events of the Holocaust, these instruments have been given a voice again and will live on forever to carry messages of survival and resilience.”
The concert will feature a double-string quartet playing these historical instruments, led by the Florida Orchestra’s principal cellist, Yoni Draiblate, who will also serve as conductor.
“This is a unique opportunity for guests to experience music and history intertwining,” Draiblate said. “It’s all about storytelling and educating the next generation about the Holocaust through the timeless power of music. Even now, we’re living in difficult times. There’s nothing quite as distracting and unifying as music.”
The concert will be preceded by an exclusive pre-show VIP event, “Prelude to Hope.” Attendees will be immersed in the history behind these extraordinary Holocaust-era instruments and have the chance to speak with Avshi and key figures from the museum and orchestra, who will share behind-the-scenes perspectives on this extraordinary collaboration.
“We continue to find innovative ways to make the Holocaust relevant today, and using music as a vehicle for storytelling is a beautiful concept,” said Michael Igel, Interim CEO and chair emeritus at the Florida Holocaust Museum. “We are honored to host these instruments and their histories, which enrich the lives of everyone who hears them.”
Tickets are available at: theFHM.org/event/violins-of-hope.