Under the patronage of the German Consulate General in San Francisco.

“Degenerate Music” was a label used by the Nazi government in 1930s Germany for music they deemed harmful to society. Similar to their campaign against “Degenerate Art,” they aimed to isolate, discredit and ban such music.

The question always asked is “why?” Why could something like the degeneration of art, music and culture happen? Why the banning and burning of books? Why the persecution of the Jews in a civilized country such as Germany, known for science, philosophy, arts and music? Why the Germans? Why the Jews?

In this historic lecture honoring the 80th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust, Adrienne Haan will explain “why” by covering German history from World War I to the Weimar Republic, which would finally lead to the Third Reich, covering the Nazi Regime’s impact on classical, cabaret, and jazz music. During the lecture, pictures will be presented as well as samples of “degenerate” versus “approved” music. Q&A to follow.

Chanteuse Internationale Adrienne Haan is an award-winning singer and producer living in New York City. Cited as “An entertainer of the highest caliber” by the New York Times and “A song interpreter with a grand voice” by the Berliner Morgenpost, she has performed around the world and presented her concerts at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall and many more. She was recently seen at the Argyros Performing Arts Center where she will be performing again in December 2025. Her diverse repertoire encompasses German 1920s and 30s Cabaret music, French Chanson, American Songbook, and Broadway, and she performs fluently in 14 languages which makes her unique in her field. Ms. Haan is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has a Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics from St. Mary’s University in London. She is also a member of the Dramatist Guild in the United States and has dedicated a great part of her life to Holocaust Remembrance.