Today marks the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Erected by the East German Communist regime on August 13, 1961 to stop the flood of citizens to the West, it divided Berlin for 28 years, but came down on November 9, 1989.

The event is being commemorated today, not just in Germany, but by people in other countries, including Bermuda.

In August last year, Imke Alers urged her brother Jens Alers, in his capacity as the Honorary German Consul in Bermuda, to do something special to mark the anniversary, and as a member of the Woodwind Ensemble of the Duisburg Philharmonic Orchestra, she suggested that this take the form of a classical concert.

He approached Ryan Ellis, conductor of the Bermuda Festival Chamber Orchestra and the Bermuda Chamber Choir, and a faculty member of the Bermuda School of Music, to see what could be done.

Mr. Alers found an enthusiastic ally in Mr. Ellis, who pointed out that 2009 also marked the 200th anniversary of German composer Felix Mendelssohn's birth, so it would be a natural fit to commemorate both anniversaries in one concert.

The result of the Alers-Ellis collaboration is a 'Choral-Orchestral Spectacular', which will be presented at St. Theresa's Cathedral on Thursday, November 19, at 8 p.m. featuring the Bermuda Festival Chamber Orchestra, the Bermuda Chamber Choir, and the visiting Woodwind Ensemble of the Duisberg Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany. Soloists will be: David France (violin), Ruth Stovell (soprano), Mary-Claire Havas (soprano), Iain Macpherson (tenor), Gordon Campbell (bass), and Peter Nash (baritone). In all, there will be 80 people on stage.

Mr. Ellis, who will be musical director and conductor, said: "It will be a fabulous programme, and a real treat to have the Woodwind Ensemble with us."

Proceeds from the concert will go to the Bermuda School of Music to support music education in Bermuda.

Mr. Alers has been working behind the scenes to reduce costs and has secured financial support from the German government.

"That was a real stunner," the honorary consul admitted. "I was very surprised by that because, in a bad world financial situation you don't normally expect foreign government funds to put a concert together on a beautiful, small island in the middle of the Atlantic."

Tickets for the 'Choral-Orchestral Spectacular' (patrons $80 including reserved seating, adults $50, children $25) can be purchased at C-travel on Queen Street, the Bermuda School of Music (tel. 296-5100) and from Mr. Alers (tel. 505-2657).

A reception for ticketholders at 7 p.m. in St. Theresa's church hall on Laffan Street will precede the concert, and will include refreshments and a video of the fall of the Berlin Wall.