COMPOSER | PIANIST | WRITER | EDUCATOR
CHAMBER OPERAS
For soprano, alto, tenor, bass, cl., vl., vcl., pno., perc. And dancer.
Libretto Daniel Galay in Yiddish, Based on Abraham Rechtman’s collection Yiddishe Etnographie un Folklor
60’, 2014
The opera "Don't Refuse Me, My Love" tells the story of a bride and groom from Nemirov, Ukraine. The story is based on an inscription found on a tombstone, documenting a tragic event that occurred during the pogroms of 1648-49, when Cossack forces conducted brutal massacres against Jewish communities across Ukraine.
As customary, a prominent community leader was celebrating his daughter's wedding with a feast for the poor. While guests danced to klezmer music, Cossacks violently attacked the town. The young couple escaped through a side alley to the fortified synagogue, but the Cossacks breached it. After fleeing to the riverbank, they boarded a boat without oars. As the Cossacks swam toward them, the groom prayed for a miracle while the bride, determined not to be captured, begged him to jump into the river with her. Though he initially refused, citing religious prohibitions against suicide, he eventually yielded to her pleas. They jumped together, clasping hands. Days later, their bodies washed ashore and were buried near the synagogue with an inscription reading: "Their bodies were separated, but their souls are bound to each other forever."
Premiered: Jewish Music Now Festival. Tal Shahar, director, Racheli Galay, conductor, December 27, 2014, Leyvik House, Tel-Aviv.
For soprano, bass, contra-tenor, fl. & picc., cl. & bass cl., vl., harp, vib. & perc., pno, a male dancer and three female dancers.
Libretto: Daniel Galay in Yiddish, or German, or English or Hebrew.
60’, 2011
Synopsis: Nature turns to God for help because humanity has stopped caring for it and has even caused severe harm. God agrees to Nature's plea but has one specific request: Nature must first harshly punish humanity as retribution for all the damage it has caused. Using various means and with great cruelty, Nature attacks humanity, leaving it lying on the ground, barely alive. With its remaining strength, humanity utters God's name and pleads for its life. Is there any hope…?
Premiered: Jewish Music Now Festival. Tal Shahar, director, Racheli Galay, conductor, Tom Idelsohn dance and choreography, Polina Adamov Scenography & costumes, Alon Harrari, contra-tenor, Claudia Gutbetzahl-Levi, soprano, Igor Tavrovsky, Bass.
Production: Beit Leyvik. November 19, 2011, Rozin Auditorium, Tel-Aviv
For soprano, baritone, ob., cl., string quintet and perc.
Libretto: Daniel Galay. Yiddish, Based on Abraham Rechtman's collection Yiddishe Etnographie un Folklor
50’, 2008, Publisher: IMC, Score Sample
Synopsis: In the haunting opera "Born on His Mother's Grave," a childless couple's long-awaited miracle becomes their tragedy. When merchant Shmuel secretly returns home at night in disguise to retrieve forgotten papers, no one recognizes him, including the townspeople who witness a "stranger" enter his wife's home. After his departure, Chaya discovers she is finally pregnant, but rather than celebrating, the town condemns her as an adulteress. Shunned and abandoned, Chaya dies in childbirth and is buried in disgrace beneath the cemetery fence. Upon Shmuel's return, he reveals the devastating truth, prompting the horrified community to exhume her grave—only to discover a living infant miraculously at his dead mother's breast. Chaya is reburied with honor while her son Chaim grows to old age, bearing his remarkable story on his tombstone: "Here lies Chaim, son of Chaya, born on his mother's grave."
Premiered: Jiddische Musik und Theaterwoch Dresden, Tal Shahar, director, Orchester des Heinrich-Schutz-Konservatoriums. Theaterhuas Rudi, Dresden. Germany, October 20, 2008.
For soprano (Mezzo or Alto), piano, percussion and actor.
Libretto: Daniel Galay. Yiddish
75’, 1999, IMC, Score Sample
Synopsis: A gripping Yiddish opera where passion, betrayal and family bonds collide. When siblings Itche and Adela invest in the charismatic pianist Zigmunt's career, boundaries blur and hearts entangle. As forbidden desires surface and children are born, the trio's lives spiral into a carnival of deception. Will Itche's obsessive pursuit of what he believes is rightfully his lead to redemption or ruin? Experience the explosive consequences when business becomes personal, and love becomes possession.
Premiered: 10.1.2009 Leyvik House, Tel-Aviv, Tal Shachar, Ayala Tsimbler, sopran, Dori Engel, actor, Yonatan Cohen, pianist, Omri Rachum, percussionist.
Libretto Tarik Gunersel (Turkey) for dancer, soprano and piano.
Year: 2016, Duration 60’
Synopsis: can be short description