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The plot of La Juive (The Jewish Woman), an opera in five acts, centered around a romance between a Jewish woman and a Christian man. It was one of the most popular operas of the nineteenth century.
These hollow, spool-shaped terra-cotta objects from Beth Shemesh would hold one or more pellets (often small pebbles) that when shaken would produce a sound. They have been considered babies’ toys…
Le prophète (The Prophet) is a grand opera in five acts based on the life of John of Leiden, a sixteenth-century Anabaptist leader. It premiered in Paris in 1849 and was soon being performed in London…
Der Thurm zu Babel (The Tower of Babel) is a one-act opera based on the story of the tower of Babel in Genesis. It premiered in Königsberg (today, Kaliningrad) in 1870. Its composer, Anton Rubinstein…
Die Königin von Saba (The Queen of Sheba) is Karl Goldmark’s most famous opera. Premiering in Vienna in 1875, its imaginative plot revolves around a love triangle involving the Queen of Sheba, Assad…
This sketch for a costume was made for the role of Jitka in Dalibor, a Czech opera in three acts by Bedřich Smetana, first performed in 1868. The plot centers on the story of a Czech knight, Dalibor…
Hebrew Melodies was a collaboration between the English poet Lord Byron (1788–1824) and his friend, the Jewish composer Isaac Nathan. It is a collection of thirty poems by the poet, set to music by…
Friends, let’s celebrate this day—Viva!
Purim, occasion to be gay—Viva!
Safe and free from Haman’s wrong,
Let’s shout in unison this song—Viva, viva, viva . . .
Esther, brilliant as the sun—Viva!
G…
The Bah (Bayit Hadash) was asked concerning the practice in synagogues of using music which is sung in the houses of worship (of non-Jews). It is only forbidden regarding…
(The songs)
It frightens us so,
With our poor wares to go
And face the wide world and its scorn.
We have lived many days,
But know only the ways.
Of the villages where we were born.
(The author)
Yo…