“My favorite Cantor - a great musician”
Leonard Bernstein
MY GRANDFATHER'S PRAYERSMY GRANDFATHER’S PRAYERS is a multi-media theatrical performance based on the life of Cantor Izso Glickstein (1889-1947), a fourth-generation cantor, child prodigy, and operatic tenor. Izso toured Europe with the Hungarian Opera, was Uber- Cantor at Europe's largest synagogue, recorded for Victor and RCA records, and mentored the young Leonard Bernstein. His story is one of survival despite the adversity of the Russian pogroms, Hungary's White Terror, and two World Wars. He settled in Boston where his powerful golden voice expressed the passion and determination of a people holding on to faith and tradition through the violent diaspora of the 20th century.
His story is enacted by his granddaughter, professional puppeteer Lisa Sturz, using scrolling scenery, shadow puppets, marionettes, digital compositing, poetic text, and visual metaphor, while exploring her own ancestry, artistry, and spirituality. The performance is intended for adults and older teens. |
MY GRANDFATHER'S PRAYERS was recorded at JLTV 's Studio in California and airs internationally.
To watch it, check the air dates on JLTV's website or purchase a DVD version by clicking below:
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" Seeing the show was an experience much like seeing an Oscar-winning drama "
Stephanie Vallez, West Liberty INDEX
A filmed version of the production is currently airing internationally with JLTV. To order a DVD , Click below:
AUDIENCE RESPONSES
"My Grandfather’s Prayers literally reverberated through each of us in the audience. Cantor Iszo Glickstein’s extraordinary voice--plangent, deeply emotive, and evocative of an eclipsed Eastern European Jewish world--struck a deep chord in everyone who heard it. The visual design and puppets were beautiful and the whole production an act of love. I can’t imagine that anyone, no matter what their own background, wouldn’t be touched by his story—and by yours as well. "
- David Jordan Harris, Executive Director, Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council
“When I came to your show, I just wanted to satisfy my curiosity (about puppets) but your show ended up touching my heart! Thank you.” - Jorge Gardos, musician and Holocaust survivor
"A wonderful combination of music, puppetry and storytelling, that is not only delightful to watch, but also very moving. It is a tale of escape from persecution to America, that so many children and grandchildren of immigrants can relate to."
-Lael Gray, Executive Director, Asheville Jewish Community Center
"Wow! Last night's performance was stellar, ingenious, beautiful, heartfelt, honest, and powerful. Thank you!!!
- Adrienne Crowther, Asheville Arts Council
" A remarkable, moving, interesting and creatively rich performance. Bravo." - Liz Preyer, Brevard, NC
"Creative, informative and thought provoking! " -Deirdre Duffy, Asheville, NC
" So Amazing, deep beautiful and mystical. I remain inspired by your show and lay on my bed listening to his yearning words that fill my heart and Jewish nechamah. Thank you. " - Anita White, Minneapolis, Minnesota
AUDIENCE RESPONSES
"My Grandfather’s Prayers literally reverberated through each of us in the audience. Cantor Iszo Glickstein’s extraordinary voice--plangent, deeply emotive, and evocative of an eclipsed Eastern European Jewish world--struck a deep chord in everyone who heard it. The visual design and puppets were beautiful and the whole production an act of love. I can’t imagine that anyone, no matter what their own background, wouldn’t be touched by his story—and by yours as well. "
- David Jordan Harris, Executive Director, Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council
“When I came to your show, I just wanted to satisfy my curiosity (about puppets) but your show ended up touching my heart! Thank you.” - Jorge Gardos, musician and Holocaust survivor
"A wonderful combination of music, puppetry and storytelling, that is not only delightful to watch, but also very moving. It is a tale of escape from persecution to America, that so many children and grandchildren of immigrants can relate to."
-Lael Gray, Executive Director, Asheville Jewish Community Center
"Wow! Last night's performance was stellar, ingenious, beautiful, heartfelt, honest, and powerful. Thank you!!!
- Adrienne Crowther, Asheville Arts Council
" A remarkable, moving, interesting and creatively rich performance. Bravo." - Liz Preyer, Brevard, NC
"Creative, informative and thought provoking! " -Deirdre Duffy, Asheville, NC
" So Amazing, deep beautiful and mystical. I remain inspired by your show and lay on my bed listening to his yearning words that fill my heart and Jewish nechamah. Thank you. " - Anita White, Minneapolis, Minnesota
RECOMMENDATIONS
| Boston Puppet Showplace, Roxie Myhrum |
| winnie_barrett_apa.pdf |
PRESS
| West Liberty Index_review.pdf |
| Shadows of the Past, Mountain Express, Asheville, NC |
| Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, The Jewish News |
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