Ten recommendations for the best of Israeli culture this week.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFThe Israeli Opera(photo credit: COURTESY OF MARIBOR OPERA)
1. SEMI-AUTOBIOGRAPHICALSet in Sacramento, California, in 2002, the comedy-drama film Lady Bird, written and directed by Greta Gerwig, is a coming-of-age story of high school senior Christine McPherson and her turbulent relationship with her mother. With Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Timothée Chalamet.Opens March 8 nationwide 2. BERNSTEIN’S CENTENNIALThe award-winning Israeli Chamber Project honors the Leonard Bernstein Centennial with the world premiere of his Divertimento for Orchestra, arranged by Yuval Shapira for the chamber ensemble. The heart of the program is devoted to Brahm’s String Sextet No. 2, Op. 36, one of the composer’s most poetic and optimistic scores. Also on the program: Leos Janacek’s Concertino; and Ensemble by Israeli composer Mordechai Seter.March 4 at 8 p.m., Mormon University, Jerusalem; March 5 at 7 p.m., Karmiel Conservatory; March 6 at 7 p.m., Acre Conservatory; March 8 at 8:30 p.m., Israeli Conservatory, Tel Aviv; March 10 at 8 p.m., Elma Center, Zichron Ya’acov 3. THE SOUND OF HOPESaxophonist and vocalist Abate Barihun, a musician who emigrated from Ethiopia, leads Tesafa (“hope”), an ensemble of young musicians that includes vocalist Kanobesh, in a tribute to the golden age of Ethiopian music: the 1960s and early 1970s.March 6 at 8:30 p.m., Confederation House, Jerusalem 4. POPULAR CLASSICSThe Multipiano Ensemble presents a concert led by conductor Dmitry Yablonsky. On the program: works by Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, Chopin, Smetana, Mussorgsky and Ravel. In cooperation with the Buchman-Mehta School of Music, Tel Aviv University.March 7 at 8 p.m., Jerusalem Theater 5. EAST MEETS WESTPianist Dina Kitrossky and oud player Itzik Gan present Pianoud, encounters between Bach, Chopin and Scarlatti and Muhammad Abd al-Wahab. With bassist Evyatar Hermesh and percussionist Amit Menachem. Guest artist: qanun player Sarel Hacohen.March 8 at 8:30 p.m., Confederation House, Jerusalem 6. THE DUTCH ALCHEMISTThe Zemack Contemporary Art gallery in Tel Aviv is holding an exhibition of works by Dutch avant-garde artist Piet Van Den Boog. In his second exhibition at the gallery, the artist will display a series of large-scale portraits inspired by the great Dutch Masters, such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Curator Yaron Haramati.Opening event March 8 at 8 p.m. Exhibition closes April 6.7. OF LOVE AND POLITICSDaniel Oren conducts the Israeli Opera in a new production of Verdi’s opera Don Carlo, based on a play by Schiller, about love, friendship, political intrigues and the ongoing battle between state and religion.Begins March 9 at 1 p.m., Opera House, Tel Aviv. For information about other performances, call (03) 692-7777.8. ISRAELI MUSIC FESTIVALThe Sounds of the Old City festival will be held in Jerusalem’s Old City. Starting at Jaffa Gate Plaza and proceeding along a circular route, festival-goers can enjoy main stage performances, as well as shows and displays. Among the participants on the Jaffa Gate stage will be Dudu Tassa, Amir Dadon, T-Slam, Berry Sakharof, Natan Goshen, Girafot, and A-WA. A special stage at the foot of the Tower of David will provide a dramatic setting for the Firqat Alnoor Orchestra.March 12 to 15, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Jerusalem 9. HIGH-PROFILE TV DRAMASet in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) Federal Court, aka “The Mother Court,” the new TV drama For the People follows new lawyers working for both the defense and the prosecution as they handle the most high-profile and high stakes cases in the country – all as their personal lives intersect.Begins March 18, Sundays at 8:45 p.m., HOT3 and HOT VOD 10. CHILDREN’S OPERA The Israeli Opera presents Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, a magical opera production for children. The young siblings who are lost in the darkness of the forest encounter the sumptuous candy house of the witch who loves to eat children for dinner. But the clever children outwit the witch and get to reunite with their worried parents. In Hebrew.March 27 at 5 p.m., Opera House, Tel Aviv