Sivan Rotem unites classics and folk songs
It is common knowledge that nations, in order to understand each other better, have to speak the language of culture. Other countries’ embassies in Ukraine take part in the organization of festivals and film weeks, exhibits and concerts. The Embassy of Israel, despite having a rather small staff, has always presented the nation’s culture and art vividly and broadly, thus supporting mutual understanding between states.
This time, on November 3, the silver voice of the internationally renowned singer Sivan Rotem will ring in the Pillared Hall of the Philharmonic Society. She will be singing to the accompaniment of the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic Society, conducted by People’s Artist of Ukraine Mykola Diadiura.
Rotem was born in Argentina and is currently living in Israel. Her soprano was perfected at the best vocal schools of her country and the US. Rotem’s repertoire is large and diverse, and her albums become instant bestsellers throughout the world.
The audiences in her home country, Europe, America, and Asia applaud her performance of classical parts in such operas as Orpheus and Eurydice, La Boheme, Don Pasquale, Werther, Elektra, and many others. Her concerts in various countries were accompanied by the world’s best orchestras and conductors.
Folk songs are another, no less important, part of the singer’s repertoire. That is why her concert in Kyiv will consist of two parts. The first, classical one, will comprise the works by Charles Gounoud, Giacomo Puccini, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Anthony Dvorak. The second part of the concert will be dedicated to traditional songs. The spectators will hear lively and sad songs in Yiddish — the language of most Jews who lived in Europe, which is now becoming extinct.
Our audience will hear something absolutely new, songs in Ladino — a language of the Mediterranean Jews evicted from Spain in the 12th century, during the reign of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castil. And while Yiddish originates from German, Ladino resembles Spanish. Songs in this language are full of passion and of hot southern harmony. These songs are also called pirate songs, as a part of the Jewish exiles became fully-fledged members of pirate communities in the Caribbean.
This unusual concert is to take place in Kyiv on November 3, under the auspices of the Embassy of Israel.
