In the mid-1940’s, Pau Casals was considered one of the most highly regarded  musicians of the time. He was living in exile in Prada de Conflent (France), near the border of his homeland, Catalonia, where he offered help to Spanish Republican families in meeting their basic needs, while also having to steering clear of the Gestapo, which controlled that area.

When World War II ended, Casals hoped that the Allied victory would also lead to the end of the Franco dictatorship in Spain. But that wish did not come true and, as a result, the master musician chose not to perform in public as long as Franco remained in his position as dictator and the Western powers didn’t take steps to bring him down.