Jewish organizations, community centers and synagogues have commissioned 32 Jewish musical works in response to a nation-wide effort started in 1957 by the Music Council of the National Jewish Welfare Board, the Council announced today. Some of the new compositions will receive their premieres during the 14th annual observance of the Jewish Music Festival February 1 to March 1 under Music Council auspices.
Among the major works commissioned was an opera written by Ray Smolover and dedicated to the tenth anniversary of Israel. The music to this opera is to be written by Siegfried Landau on commission from the Opera Theatre of Westchester, Scarsdale, N. Y. Also a cantata in honor of the tenth anniversary by Lewis Allen, on commission from the Jewish Agency; an opera, “Bontsche Schweig,” by Bernard Wilets, commissioned by the Jewish Community Center of Long Beach, California; and a Purim operetta by Charles Davidson and Ray Smolover, commissioned by the National Women’s League.
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