"Once Forbidden, Never Forgotten" Lecture-Recital, Dr. Ryan Bede, Belmont University

The USF School of Music is honored to present Once Forbidden, Never Forgotten, a powerful and thought-provoking lecture-recital by acclaimed baritone Dr. Ryan C. Bed - an esteemed performer, 
scholar, and educator with a distinguished national and international career.

This presentation sheds light on the extraordinary art song and operatic works created by composers imprisoned in the Theresienstadt ghetto (Terezín, Czech Republic) under the Nazi regime. It also 
explores the broader context of Entartete Musik - music labeled "degenerate" and banned due to the 
ethnicity or background of its creators.

Amid the darkest chapters of history, these remarkable artists produced music of profound beauty, 
resilience, and hope. Their legacy not only enriches the 20th-century canon but also reminds us of art’s enduring power to transcend oppression.

The event will conclude with a live performance of representative works by Gideon Klein, Adolf 
Strauss, and Ilse Weber.

Dr. Bede is widely recognized for his passionate advocacy of contemporary American opera and 20th-21st century vocal music, with special emphasis on human rights. His credits include Jack 
Perla’s An American Dream (Seattle Opera, Opera Idaho), the world premiere of Sarah Mattox’s Heart Mountain, and a 9/11 memorial recital featuring Jake Heggie’s Pieces of 9/11.

Join us for an unforgettable evening where music, history, and humanity converge.