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Die Stadt ohne Juden (PG)

A Dystopian Prophecy of Intolerance

,Milton Court Concert Hall
A City Without Jews

This startlingly prescient silent film from inter-war Vienna, now with score from Olga Neuwirth, chillingly imagines – and astonishingly predicts – the consequences as a city succumbs to intolerance.

Made in 1924, Die Stadt ohne Juden is ominous, portentous, and completely unforgettable. H K Breslauer’s satirical dystopia shows the cultural and economic impoverishment of a city that expels its Jewish population, and is disturbingly prophetic in its depiction of the murderous anti-semitism in Vienna in the wake of the First World War.

And the story of the film is almost as remarkable as its content. Lost during the Second World War, this version was only rediscovered in a Paris flea market in 2015. The political message is more sharply articulated in this newly restored version, with a hitherto lost ending and other sequences. For anyone interested in 20th-century history, this film is essential viewing. But composer Olga Neuwirth is a cinephile herself, and her specially commissioned score will add another wholly compelling dimension.

Tagged with: Classical music Milton Court Silent Film & Live Music More...

Part of our 2018 Season, The Art of Change, which explores how artists respond to, reflect and can potentially effect change in the social and political landscape.

The performances are expected to finish around 8.30pm and 11pm respectively and will not include an interval.

Commissioned by Barbican Centre, Wiener Konzerthaus, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Sinfonieorchester Basel and ZDF/ARTE

The cooperation of PHACE and Nacho de Paz is kindly supported by Acción Cultural Española (AC/E) / PICE.

PHACE is supported by the SKE-Fonds (Austro Mechana), The Arts and Culture Division of the Federal Chancellery of Austria and the City Council of Vienna.

Part of the UK Jewish Film Festival 2018

Programme

  •   The City Without Jews (silent film screening with new live score)

Score by Olga Neuwirth (UK premiere)

H K Breslauer Director

 

Performers

  • PHACE Ensemble  
  • Nacho de Paz   conductor

Download the programme

Click here to download a free copy of the programme.

5.45pm Pre-concert talk

Composer Olga Neuwirth in conversation with BFI silent film curator Bryony Dixon.

Free to ticket holders of both the 7pm and 9.30pm performances.

Discover

Title card for Die Stadt Ohne Juden

Read: The City Without Jews

Pamela Hutchinson investigates the history of The City Without Jews, one of the most prophetic, provocative films of the 20th century, reflecting on the importance of its restoration and its relevance today.

Start reading
man restoring film

Watch: restoring 'Die Stadt ohne Juden'

An insight into how Filmarchiv Austria rescued 'Die Stadt ohne Juden', one of the most sought-after lost films in Austrian film history.

an orchestra playing classical music in the barbican hall in central london

Listen: Classical Music on Spotify

Follow our regularly updated Classical Music playlist for a sample of the music you'll hear across our programme. 

photo of concrete at barbican centre

From the archive: John Cale's Drone Orchestra

Listen back to our 2014 podcast featuring John Cale, Liam Young and Robert Henke.

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Milton Court Concert Hall

Location
Milton Court Concert Hall is located within the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is approximately a 5 minute walk from the Barbican entrance on Silk Street.  

Address
Milton Court
Silk St, London
EC2Y 9BH

Nearby public transport
We are within walking distance from a number of London Underground stations, the closest being Barbican, Old Street, St Paul’s and Moorgate. The nearest train stations are Liverpool Street and Farringdon. Bus Route 153 runs directly past the Barbican along Chiswell Street

Car and bicycle parking
We have free bicycle spaces and paid car parking spaces available