Mendele Lohengrin (2025) A Klezmer Singspiel Commissioned composition by JCOM
Ethel Merhaut, singer
Stefan Merki, actor Daniel Grossmann, conductor
JEWISH A poor Jewish musician, who earns his living poorly by performing at weddings, fulfills a dream: he uses his hard-earned savings to pay a visit to the Imperial Court Theater in Vienna. By chance, he hears Wagner's 'Lohengrin' - without any prior knowledge. The opera changes his life: back in his shtetl, he only wants to play Wagner's melodies at Jewish festivals, not the traditional melodies - which naturally leads to a conflict.
TODAY We too must ask ourselves the questions that moved Mendele: "What does music have to do with the Jews or the Christians? [. . .] Is music kosher? Is a melody accurate? Do you have to salt and wash out the notes? Do you have to dig a fiddle?" Sexists, racists, anti-Semites: how do we experience art today whose creators had political or social views that we do not share?
FOR ALL An entertaining story with music ranging from Klezmer to Wagner and today. A charismatic actor and a rousing singer. Plus the colorful JCOM under Daniel Grossmann. Funny, sad and thoughtful moments. This can only be a successful evening!
