Poisoned Angel - The Story of Alma Rose

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BBC Radio 7

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Drama: Biographical

Factual: History

Poisoned Angel: The Story of Alma Rose

01/03/2011

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Poisoned Angel - The Story of Alma Rose

The life and death of a woman who led a women's orchestra in Auschwitz.

The controversial life and death of the violinist who led a women's orchestra in the Auschwitz death camp. From 2004.

Niece of composer Gustav Mahler, the violinist Alma Rose was Viennese musical royalty. 

But that didn't save her from Auschwitz during the Second World War.  

There, she was ordered to transform a ragged group of female musicians into an orchestra to play as the work details came and left their death-camp hell. 

Her success saved the women from the gas chambers. 

Alyn Shipton looks at her life, the suspicion surrounding her death and controversy over the misrepresentation of her character by some of those she saved. 

Producer: Paul Evans

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in  February 2004.

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