Opera about Nazi atrocities shown in Austria

Work composed by concentration camp victim’s grandson performed ahead of International Holocaust Day

Peter Androsch's opera 'Spiegelgrund' exposes atrocities committed by the Nazi regime. (photo credit: SonoStream.tv)
Peter Androsch's opera 'Spiegelgrund' exposes atrocities committed by the Nazi regime. (photo credit: SonoStream.tv)

VIENNA (AP) — Austrian parliamentarians and invited guests gathered Friday to watch the premiere of an opera depicting how Nazis methodically killed mentally or physically deficient children at a Vienna hospital during World War II.

“Spiegelgrund”, streamed live online, is the work of Austrian composer Peter Androsch, whose great grandfather died in a concentration camp.

Friday’s performance will mark International Holocaust Day in Austria — a nation still atoning for its role in atrocities committed by the Nazis during the war.

The opera is being performed in a chamber of parliament used for special sessions and ceremonial events, and shown on Internet, starting at 16:00 GMT (11 am EST).

Since the war, Austria has gone from denial to full recognition of its part in Nazi atrocities.

The world marks Holocaust Memorial Day on Sunday.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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