“The Just”

In De Rechtvaardigen (The Just), based on the book of the same name by master storyteller Jan Brokken, Cappella Amsterdam tells the unknown, compelling story of the Dutch consul Jan Zwartendijk. He risked his life for the freedom of others. At the beginning of the Second World War, he issued visas to thousands of Jews in Kaunas (Lithuania). With this visa for Curaçao they were able to flee the Holocaust via the Trans Siberian Express to Japan. Hereby some pictures of the première in Muziekgebouw Amsterdam:

“The Just”
“The Just”
“The Just”

“The Just” was broadcasted in full on VPRO Vrije Geluiden. The first half is about Jan Zwartendijk, and in the second half  they talk about the couple Leo and Bella Adler who, thanks to him, were able to flee away.

Peter goes in conversation with Aad van Nieuwkerk, Jan Brokken and Martha Bosch . You can listen to it here

We are very proud to share that we’ve been nominated for “the Ovation 2022”, VSCD Classic Music prize for a special stage presentation that makes an important contribution to the Dutch classic music life.

You can read the article (in dutch) here

Concerts

"De Rechtvaardigen" - Muziekgebouw, Amsterdam May 1st 2025, 20:15h

With "De Rechtvaardigen", based on Jan Brokken's (1949) book of the same name, we bring you the story of Dutch consul Jan Zwartendijk who put his life on the line for the freedom of others. Zwartendijk is saviour of thousands of lives, of Polish Jewish men, women and children who fled to Lithuania, desperately seeking a way out of Europe. He issued visas that allowed Jews to travel, on the Trans-Siberia Express, from Lithuania through the Soviet Union to Vladivostok, on to Japan and on to America, Shanghai and other countries, saving them from the Holocaust.

An impressive story that will also focus on the rescued Leo Adler and his wife Bella Hamburg who reached New York after a six-year flight, but remained homesick for their original continent and language.

Through readings by Jan Brokken, woven into music for choir and saxophone quartet, we experience in this through-composed concert how the good deeds of one person can save thousands of lives

"De Rechtvaardigen" - Muziekgebouw Frits Philips, Eindhoven May 2nd 2025, 20:15h

With "De Rechtvaardigen", based on Jan Brokken's (1949) book of the same name, we bring you the story of Dutch consul Jan Zwartendijk who put his life on the line for the freedom of others. Zwartendijk is saviour of thousands of lives, of Polish Jewish men, women and children who fled to Lithuania, desperately seeking a way out of Europe. He issued visas that allowed Jews to travel, on the Trans-Siberia Express, from Lithuania through the Soviet Union to Vladivostok, on to Japan and on to America, Shanghai and other countries, saving them from the Holocaust.

An impressive story that will also focus on the rescued Leo Adler and his wife Bella Hamburg who reached New York after a six-year flight, but remained homesick for their original continent and language.

Through readings by Jan Brokken, woven into music for choir and saxophone quartet, we experience in this through-composed concert how the good deeds of one person can save thousands of lives

"De Rechtvaardigen" - Bovenkerk, Kampen May 3rd 2025, 20:15h

With "De Rechtvaardigen", based on Jan Brokken's (1949) book of the same name, we bring you the story of Dutch consul Jan Zwartendijk who put his life on the line for the freedom of others. Zwartendijk is saviour of thousands of lives, of Polish Jewish men, women and children who fled to Lithuania, desperately seeking a way out of Europe. He issued visas that allowed Jews to travel, on the Trans-Siberia Express, from Lithuania through the Soviet Union to Vladivostok, on to Japan and on to America, Shanghai and other countries, saving them from the Holocaust.

An impressive story that will also focus on the rescued Leo Adler and his wife Bella Hamburg who reached New York after a six-year flight, but remained homesick for their original continent and language.

Through readings by Jan Brokken, woven into music for choir and saxophone quartet, we experience in this through-composed concert how the good deeds of one person can save thousands of lives

"De Rechtvaardigen" - Nieuwe Kerk, Den Haag May 4th 2025, 21:00h

With "De Rechtvaardigen", based on Jan Brokken's (1949) book of the same name, we bring you the story of Dutch consul Jan Zwartendijk who put his life on the line for the freedom of others. Zwartendijk is saviour of thousands of lives, of Polish Jewish men, women and children who fled to Lithuania, desperately seeking a way out of Europe. He issued visas that allowed Jews to travel, on the Trans-Siberia Express, from Lithuania through the Soviet Union to Vladivostok, on to Japan and on to America, Shanghai and other countries, saving them from the Holocaust.

An impressive story that will also focus on the rescued Leo Adler and his wife Bella Hamburg who reached New York after a six-year flight, but remained homesick for their original continent and language.

Through readings by Jan Brokken, woven into music for choir and saxophone quartet, we experience in this through-composed concert how the good deeds of one person can save thousands of lives

"De Rechtvaardigen" - Meervaart, Amsterdam May 5th 2025, 20:15h

With "De Rechtvaardigen", based on Jan Brokken's (1949) book of the same name, we bring you the story of Dutch consul Jan Zwartendijk who put his life on the line for the freedom of others. Zwartendijk is saviour of thousands of lives, of Polish Jewish men, women and children who fled to Lithuania, desperately seeking a way out of Europe. He issued visas that allowed Jews to travel, on the Trans-Siberia Express, from Lithuania through the Soviet Union to Vladivostok, on to Japan and on to America, Shanghai and other countries, saving them from the Holocaust.

An impressive story that will also focus on the rescued Leo Adler and his wife Bella Hamburg who reached New York after a six-year flight, but remained homesick for their original continent and language.

Through readings by Jan Brokken, woven into music for choir and saxophone quartet, we experience in this through-composed concert how the good deeds of one person can save thousands of lives

"De Rechtvaardigen" Raadhuisconcerten Hilversum May 6th 2025, 20:15h

With "De Rechtvaardigen", based on Jan Brokken's (1949) book of the same name, we bring you the story of Dutch consul Jan Zwartendijk who put his life on the line for the freedom of others. Zwartendijk is saviour of thousands of lives, of Polish Jewish men, women and children who fled to Lithuania, desperately seeking a way out of Europe. He issued visas that allowed Jews to travel, on the Trans-Siberia Express, from Lithuania through the Soviet Union to Vladivostok, on to Japan and on to America, Shanghai and other countries, saving them from the Holocaust.

An impressive story that will also focus on the rescued Leo Adler and his wife Bella Hamburg who reached New York after a six-year flight, but remained homesick for their original continent and language.

Through readings by Jan Brokken, woven into music for choir and saxophone quartet, we experience in this through-composed concert how the good deeds of one person can save thousands of lives.

"De Rechtvaardigen" - Musis, Arnhem May 7th 2025, 20:00h

With "De Rechtvaardigen", based on Jan Brokken's (1949) book of the same name, we bring you the story of Dutch consul Jan Zwartendijk who put his life on the line for the freedom of others. Zwartendijk is saviour of thousands of lives, of Polish Jewish men, women and children who fled to Lithuania, desperately seeking a way out of Europe. He issued visas that allowed Jews to travel, on the Trans-Siberia Express, from Lithuania through the Soviet Union to Vladivostok, on to Japan and on to America, Shanghai and other countries, saving them from the Holocaust.

An impressive story that will also focus on the rescued Leo Adler and his wife Bella Hamburg who reached New York after a six-year flight, but remained homesick for their original continent and language.

Through readings by Jan Brokken, woven into music for choir and saxophone quartet, we experience in this through-composed concert how the good deeds of one person can save thousands of lives

(cancelled) "De Rechtvaardigen" - Pieterskerk, Utrecht May 8th 2025, 20:15h

With "De Rechtvaardigen", based on Jan Brokken's (1949) book of the same name, we bring you the story of Dutch consul Jan Zwartendijk who put his life on the line for the freedom of others. Zwartendijk is saviour of thousands of lives, of Polish Jewish men, women and children who fled to Lithuania, desperately seeking a way out of Europe. He issued visas that allowed Jews to travel, on the Trans-Siberia Express, from Lithuania through the Soviet Union to Vladivostok, on to Japan and on to America, Shanghai and other countries, saving them from the Holocaust.

An impressive story that will also focus on the rescued Leo Adler and his wife Bella Hamburg who reached New York after a six-year flight, but remained homesick for their original continent and language.

Through readings by Jan Brokken, woven into music for choir and saxophone quartet, we experience in this through-composed concert how the good deeds of one person can save thousands of lives

"De Rechtvaardigen" - De Zeeuwse Concertzaal, Middelburg May 9th 2025, 20:00h

With "De Rechtvaardigen", based on Jan Brokken's (1949) book of the same name, we bring you the story of Dutch consul Jan Zwartendijk who put his life on the line for the freedom of others. Zwartendijk is saviour of thousands of lives, of Polish Jewish men, women and children who fled to Lithuania, desperately seeking a way out of Europe. He issued visas that allowed Jews to travel, on the Trans-Siberia Express, from Lithuania through the Soviet Union to Vladivostok, on to Japan and on to America, Shanghai and other countries, saving them from the Holocaust.

An impressive story that will also focus on the rescued Leo Adler and his wife Bella Hamburg who reached New York after a six-year flight, but remained homesick for their original continent and language.

Through readings by Jan Brokken, woven into music for choir and saxophone quartet, we experience in this through-composed concert how the good deeds of one person can save thousands of lives