Hope In The Midst Of The Holocaust In A World Premiere From Opera Colorado

(Courtesy Opera Colorado)

A new opera that premieres in Denver this week tells the true story of a couple who found love against the backdrop of the Holocaust.

Jaap Polak and Ina Soep grew close to one another while they were held in two Nazi concentration camps during World War II. They survived their internment, married and moved to the United States.

Opera Colorado's world premiere of "Steal A Pencil for Me," is Thursday at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center in Denver.

• Live Broadcast: CPR Classical will present the opera's world premiere at 7:30 p.m. Thursday

The opera’s composer, Gerald Cohen tells Colorado Matters he got to know the couple personally and worked for years to bring the music to the stage.