: Symbolism and parody in Viktor Ullmann’s opera The Emperor of Atlantis and Hans Karasa’s opera, Brundibar Introduction The Terezin concentration camp also known as the Theresienstadt concentration camp was a German ghetto that was used to concentrate Jews from countries such as Austria, Denmark, Czechoslovakia and Netherlands. It was built by Emperor Josef II as a fortress but was converted to a prison by the German leader Hitler during the Nazi period of WWII (Kramer, & Lishinsky, 33). Many of the Jews died there and because of the deplorable conditions and lack of resources at the camp due to including overpopulation. Many artists, writers and enemies of the authorities were sent there ensure they could not enlighten the public about the civilized world.