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The Nightmare and the Dream 
by Sergio Barer

Starring
Marcus Feldman as "Theodor Herzl"


Ensemble

San Fernando Valley Master Chorale

Narrator
Susan Edwards Martin


Program
(All solos in order of appearance)

I. Europa

Soprano: Marla Lowrey

Synopsis: This movement partially outlines the ideological clash in the foundational texts of Judaism and Christianity, the Old and the New Testaments—a clash which eventually became the basis for forced conversions and physical violence in the Middle Ages. Europa includes the expulsion of the Jews from Spain and the work of the Spanish Inquisition. However, the movement ends on a hopeful note, where Jews and Christians pray for God’s help.

 

II. Metamorphosis

Soprano: Ellen Ford

Bass: Steven Barnett

Synopsis: In this movement we meet Theodore Herzl, the creator of political Zionism, which is the idea that the Jewish people needed to create an independent country in order to survive. We explore his motives, we hear some of his ideas and we walk with him as he gives his first steps in his journey to create a Jewish state.

III. Herzl's Vision

Synopsis: This movement outlines Herzl’s plan to create a Jewish State as well as his vision for such an entity, a vision based on the liberal values of 19th century Europe. It is based on “The Jewish State” and “Old New Land,” the two books that Herzl wrote on the subject.

 

IV. Congress, Travels, and Diplomacy

Kaiser: Jay Harwitt

Soprano: Flora Kohl

Baritone: Jay Harwitt

Nordau: Brian McConnell

Sultan: Jay Harwitt

Chamberlain: John Bergquist

Lord Sanderson: Jay Harwitt

Butros Ghali: John Bergquist

Synopsis: Theodor Herzl sets his plan in motion to turn his dream and vision into a reality. He talked with the German Kaiser, the Turkish Sultan, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, and English government officials, and also created the Zionist Congresses, a Jewish parliament in exile tasked with the job of creating the new state. 

 

V. The Pioneers

Bride: Marla Lowrey

Groom: John Bergquist

Maids of Honor: Women

Groomsmen: Men

Synopsis: The Pioneers takes us to the Ottoman Empire and to Palestine with the Jews that arrived to create the state. We travel with them, we work with them, we suffer with them, we rejoice with them, and we end in 1948 with Israel’s Declaration of Independence—the realization of Herzl’s and the Jewish People’s dream.

Orchestra 

Saxophone
Geoff Nudell*
Sharada Rao

Trumpet
Brandon Douglas

French Horn
Joy Armstrong
Jason Beaumont


Trombone
Rebecca Buringrud

Tuba
Alec van Wagner

Percussion
Lauren Keber

Timpani
Paul Sternhagen

Piano
Bob Remstein

*
Concert master
Crew

Executive/General Director
Julie Barnett


Artistic Director
Charlie Kim


Associate Artistic Director
John Bergquist

Composer
Sergio Barer

Rehearsal Accompanist
Bob Remstein

Program
Julie Barnett


Projector
Sergio Barer

Box office 
Julie Barnett
Ian Lindley

 

With much appreciation,
SFVMC would like to give thanks to:

The composer would like to thank:

Rabbi Ed Feinstein, for his advice on the project and his support.

Cantor Phil Baron, for his advice on the project, his support and his encouragement.

To David Matlow and the Herzl Project for providing us great images for the work.

My wife Ana and my daughters Libe and Ariela, for always being there for me.

SFVMC Donors

Amgen

Sherry Angel

Rabi Ari Averbach

Elena Barcia

Ariela Barer

Cara & Jorge Barer

Mike Barer

Cantor Baron

Dr. David Braun

Jonathan Braun

Tom Burpee

Abi & Albert Coleman

Marliene Drasin

James Elliot

Kathleen Fargnoli

Rabbi ED Feinstein

Ronald Flate

Steve Gabel

Barbara & Mark Gerson

Jacqueline Gerson

Eric Goldman

Martin Gorman

Scott Howard

Temple Knesset Israel

Eric Kingsley

Sheldon Kirsch

Victor Kohn

Rosalie Kornblau

Ellie & Mark Lainer

Norm Levine

Michael Lewis

Barbara Mack

Ernesto May

David Michalowicz

Pablo Nankin

Rebecca & Carlos Rittner

Ilan & Bobbie Rubinstein

Joshua Saidoff

Scott Saliman

Maurice Silberstein

Frank Smathers

Leslie & NealSobol

Gail Solo

Michelle & David Spiegel

Alan Ulman

Hannah Wecker

Joel Weinstein

Rita L. & Jeffrey S. Weiss

Roslyn & Gerald Wythe

Valley Beth Shalom

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The San Fernando Valley Master Chorale is supported  in part by the Los Angeles Country Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture. We are also supported in part by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. 

The San Fernando Valley Master Chorale is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

We rely on partners, sponsors, donors and dedicated volunteers to help us create memorable performances. We need your help to make our efforts go further as we focus on community outreach and collaborate with other local institutions and organizations.

Donations are tax deductible

[EIN: 47-2309895].

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