The Promise: A Zeisl Concert
Sunday, August 26, 2018 at 7PM
Gindi Auditorium
Co-presented by UCLA’s Evelyn and Mo Ostin Music Center
In 1954, the University of Judaism (now American Jewish University), commissioned their Head of Theatre Arts, Benjamin Zemach, and Austria émigré composer Erich Zeisl to create a ballet based on the biblical love story of Jacob and Rachel. Due to lack of funds for the full orchestra that Zeisl insisted upon, the ballet was never staged at UJ or anywhere else, until fifty-five years later.
In 2009, the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony and then-newly created local dance troupe BODYTRAFFIC gave Jacob and Rachel its World Premiere at the Wadsworth Theatre, to great critical and popular acclaim. “Confident professionalism was in evidence across every performance element, décor, costume lighting and in the super-contemporary choreography requiring robust modern dance technique.” (Debra Levine, Freelance Dance Critic LA Times, LA Opinion) On August 26, 2018, the LAJS and BODYTRAFFIC (now a world-renowned dance company) finally brought Jacob and Rachel back to its original home!
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
In 1954, the University of Judaism (now American Jewish University), commissioned their Head of Theatre Arts, Benjamin Zemach, and Austria émigré composer Erich Zeisl to create a ballet based on the biblical love story of Jacob and Rachel. Due to lack of funds for the full orchestra that Zeisl insisted upon, the ballet was never staged at UJ or anywhere else, until fifty-five years later.
In 2009, the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony and then newly-created local dance troupe BODYTRAFFIC gave Jacob and Rachel its World Premiere at the Wadsworth Theatre, to great critical and popular acclaim. “Confident professionalism was in evidence across every performance element, décor, costume lighting and in the super-contemporary choreography requiring robust modern dance technique.” (Debra Levine, Freelance Dance Critic LA Times, LA Opinion) On August 26, 2018, the LAJS and BODYTRAFFIC (now a world-renowned dance company) finally brought Jacob and Rachel back to its original home!
FEATURED ARTISTS
Bodytraffic
BODYTRAFFIC uses the creative spirit of its Los Angeles home to fulfill its mission of delivering performances that inspire audiences simply to love dance. Since its inception in 2007, the company has held its place at the forefront of the concert dance world with a compelling style that “suggests invention, attitude, and urban edge” (The Boston Globe).
Fred Melamed (Narrator) is an American actor and writer. He was born and raised in New York City, in a show business family. His mother was actress Syma Melamed, and father, Lou, was right hand man to television pioneer Nat Hiken, and producer of many early shows, including The Nat King Cole Show, Let’s Pretend, Sgt. Bilko, and Car 54 Where Are You? Melamed was adopted, and as an adult became acquainted with his biological parents, Actor/Director Nancy Zala(Round Numbers), and British psychoanalyst, Stanley Silverstone, who was related to noted theatrical family, the Adlers, including Luther and Stella Adler.
Wan Rosalind Wong (Pianist) aspires to become an established composer, and has many years of experience and education to launch her career! Read more about Rosalind and her anticipated performance at Sounds About Town February 8th during Camille Saint-Saëns’ piece “Organ” Symphony when she plays on Walt Disney Concert Hall’s infamous organ.
Jared Daniel Jones, originally from Ellijay, Georgia, is a recent graduate of the Herb Albert School of music at UCLA with a Masters in voice performance and received his bachelor degree from the University of Georgia in 2017. After completing his Masters this year, Jared is at the start of his singing career based in Los Angeles performing with ensembles like the LA Master Chorale and Pacific Chorale. At UCLA Jared sang the leading roles in the premiere of two newly composed one-act operas by student composers and a leading role in UCLA’s world premiere production of Lost Childhood by Janice Hamer.
FEATURED DANCERS
Natalie Leibert
Dancing Rachel
Lorrin Brubaker
Dancing Jacob
Jessica Liu
Dancing Lea
UCLA Lowell Milken Fund for American Jewish Music
Music of American Jewish experience has its first permanent dedicated academic home with the establishment of the Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience. It unites the academic and the artistic, showcasing artists, scholars and educators to share their sounds and stories. The founding gift from philanthropist Lowell Milken advances understanding of and knowledge about the musical heritage of Jews in America.
Whizin Center for Continuing Education at AJU
American Jewish University (AJU) is a thriving center of Jewish resources and talent that serves the Jewish community of the twenty-first century. A portal for Jewish belonging, AJU equips students, faculty, campers, and learners of all ages with the tools to create the ideas, build the structures, and develop the programs to advance Jewish wisdom and elevate Jewish living.