The Triangle Orchestra presents BAS-SHEVE, a Yiddish opera by Henech Kon, in Dialogue Center at 21 of August 2019 at 7 pm.
A Project by Yiddish Summer Weimar, Centrum Dialogu im. Marka Edelmana and MCY Paris. “Bas-Sheve” is the only surviving Yiddish opera from Europe, it premiered in Warsaw’s Kaminsky Theatre in 1924.

It tells the biblical story of King David who desired Bat-Sheba (Yiddish: Bas-Sheve), wife of his soldier Uriah. With tragedy looming over all those who find themselves involved, an epic story about the misuse of power, the abuse of loyal ones, punishment of the innocent and reconciliation enfolds.

Coming from the art of kleynkunst (cabaret; fringe theatre), touring Poland and especially Lodz, writer Moyshe Broderzon and composer Henech Kon knew how to capture an audience and to create moments of deep sentiment as well as laughter.

This project realized what composer Kon had always envisaged for his opera, but never had the means to realize: an orchestrated version. At the time of its premiere, it was financially impossible to employ an orchestra and Kon himself had to sing the bass-part while playing piano.

Now, the acclaimed musician, composer and arranger from California, Joshua Horowitz, has masterfully created an orchestra-version of the opera. Music students from Poland, France and Germany will perform this masterpiece in a concert performance together - after an intensive rehearsal period on the 21st August at the Center of Dialogue in Łódź.

Dr. Diana Matut will give an introduction to the composer’s life and work before the opera (that lasts about an hour). This event will sweeten your summer with the sound of Yiddish music from Poland’s greatest secular Yiddish composer.