State of the Jews (libretto by Ben Kaplan) 90'
Past Workshop Performances
December 5-8, 2019, 14th Street Y, LABA: Second Stage, 344 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003
June 18th, 2019, 8pm at Roulette, as a part of Jerome Residency
Roulette Intermedium, 509 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
May 2nd, 2019, 7pm as a part of ConEd Exploring the Metropolis Residency at Turtle Bay Music School
February 2nd, 2019, 7:30pm as a part of 14th Street Y’s LABA: A Laboratory for Jewish Culture
September 28th and 29th, 2018, 7:30pm as a part of American Opera Projects, Composers and the Voice: Six Scenes Concert
Photos from workshop performance at the 14th Street Y:
The opera State of the Jews follows Theodor Herzl in the last year of his life, as his efforts to secure a Jewish homeland become increasingly desperate. It includes scenes from the Sixth Zionist congress, in which Herzl proposes Uganda as a possible land for Jewish settlement, and Herzl’s visit with Pope Pius X, in which he seeks the Pope’s support for a Jewish State. Interwoven with this public historical narrative is the more intimate story of Theodor’s conflicted relationship with his wife, Julie Herzl, and the toll his political views and activities took on their family life.
Preview performance video available upon request. Please email WeiserEarMusic@gmail.com
Read More About State of the Jews: Asylum Arts Magazine: State of the Jews: An Opera by Alex Weiser and Ben Kaplan LABA Journal: Reconsidering Julie Herzl, Theodor's Unhappy Wife The Daily Beast: For Some Jews, Yiddish History Is Sanctuary. For Others, It's 'Dangerous.' LABA Journal: State of the Jews The Jewish Week: A N.Y.C. Opera Will Give Herzl's Wife A Star Turn The Times of Israel: State of the Jews: The Operatic Life of Herzl Forverts: New Opera About Theodor Herzl Explores His Complex Nature [Yiddish] Forward: New Opera About Theodor Herzl Explores His Complex Nature [English] The Algemeiner: Theodor Herzl at the Opera kan reshet bet: Omer Ben Rubi im tarbut yom vav [Hebrew] Jewish Journal: A Glimpse of ZionPast Workshop Performances
December 5-8, 2019, 14th Street Y, LABA: Second Stage, 344 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003
June 18th, 2019, 8pm at Roulette, as a part of Jerome Residency
Roulette Intermedium, 509 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
May 2nd, 2019, 7pm as a part of ConEd Exploring the Metropolis Residency at Turtle Bay Music School
February 2nd, 2019, 7:30pm as a part of 14th Street Y’s LABA: A Laboratory for Jewish Culture
September 28th and 29th, 2018, 7:30pm as a part of American Opera Projects, Composers and the Voice: Six Scenes Concert
Photos from workshop performance at the 14th Street Y:
© 2022 Alex Weiser