As seen on the Sky TV documentary earlier this year, The Lost Music of Auschwitz, will be performed by a live orchestra at The Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford on 15 June. Commemorating 80 years since the liberation of Nazi rule of the camp, this live 60-minute performance of the music and the powerful stories behind them, reimagines previously lost music-scores that were performed by prisoners in Auschwitz. Re-discovered and re-composed by composer Leo Geyer*, the music contained secretly-coded messages to in-mates. Now their compositions are being played again to a live audience by the Constella Music orchestra, for the full emotional experience to be shared by all. The debut show opens in Salford, 2pm on 15 June, with some of the music featured being presented live for the first time ever.

In the depths of Auschwitz, amid unimaginable cruelty, music echoed through the camp. Orchestras made up of prisoners were forced to entertain Nazi officers and accompany the grim march of captives to and from their labour. Yet, these musicians resisted in the only way they could; by weaving secret melodies into their performances. Now, 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, it’s time to let these melodies resonate once more.

This performance, as featured on Sky’s The Lost Music of Auschwitz, revives the haunting legacy of those hidden notes. Shaped by composer Leo Geyer’s meticulous research in the Auschwitz-Birkenau archives, the ensemble will not only perform these long forgotten works, but also offer audiences a deeper understanding of the music itself, as Geyer also shares the powerful stories behind each composition. This inspiring and emotional 60-minute experience of music and stories, plays tribute to the resilience, creativity and enduring strength of human spirit, in the face of humanity’s darkest hour.

Leo Geyer comments, "The music manuscripts in the Auschwitz archive offer a glimpse into humanity's darkest moment. After 10 years of painstaking research, I have restored these forgotten and damaged manuscripts to enable the public to hear this music, in some cases for the first time. Music was weaponised by the Nazis, but musicians also took great risks to play music that brought hope to those who had none.”