Annelies (Whitbourn)

Annelies (Whitbourn) is a large-scale choral work composed by James Whitbourn. It is a setting of excerpts from The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, translated into English. The composition also incorporates several Psalms, traditionally sung by the Frank family.

The work is scored for soprano soloist, choir, and instrumental ensemble, typically including clarinet, cello, piano, and violin. Premiered in 2005, Annelies is considered one of the first major choral settings of Anne Frank’s words. The title "Annelies" is the German form of Anne's given name.

The libretto, also written by Whitbourn, seeks to portray Anne's inner world, faith, and hope amid the horrors of the Holocaust. It is structured to reflect the chronology of the diary, moving from entries describing everyday life to the increasing restrictions and fear experienced by the Frank family while in hiding. The music ranges from lyrical and reflective passages to moments of intense drama and sorrow.