“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
This first sentence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights marks the beginning of one of humanity’s most significant documents. The SINN-PHONIE DER MENSCHENRECHTE translates this idea for the first time into a large-scale musical language for orchestra, choirs, soloist, narrator, electronic music – and the audience itself. It is a concert, soundscape, and societal dialogue all at once.
The textual basis combines Articles 1 to 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with excerpts from two historical speeches that continue to stand for human dignity worldwide: those of Chief Seattle (1854) and Dr. Martin Luther King (1963).
The first and third articles of human rights resonate in ten different languages, symbolically spanning the entire globe. The audience sings well-known melodies of peace (Ode to Joy, Thoughts Are Free, Amazing Grace, We Shall Overcome), speaks central articles of human rights with the choirs, and experiences how many individual voices merge into a collective sound.
SINN-PHONIE DER MENSCHENRECHTE combines grand choral music with a highly topical social issue: human rights – and makes the audience an active part of the performance.
Unique Repertoire Field: To date, no comparable large-scale choral-symphonic work on human rights with active audience participation exists.
Special Performance Occasion: 2028 marks the 80th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – on December 10, 2028.
Annually Relevant: Suitable for memorial days, human rights days, peace events, festivals, school, and university projects.
Three Arrangements: Choir & Piano, Chamber Version, and Orchestral Version.
Modular Performance: From a simple canon to individual movements and a ‘best-of’ version, up to the complete work.
Immediately Performable: Complete performance material is available.
Internationally Applicable: Language versions in various languages enable performances beyond the German-speaking world.
Suitable for Many Ensembles: For professional choirs, universities, ambitious amateur choirs, and youth ensembles.
A work for the stage – and for a society that wants to raise its voice.
