Posts Tagged "Yiddish Divas"
Remembering Adrienne, z”l…
Adrienne's Wedding Blessings
It is with a heavy heart and unbearable sorrow that the world now mourns the passing of our sister, Adrienne Cooper z”l.
She was my mentor, my surrogate mother, spiritual guide, partner in crime and a dear, dear friend. Adrienne lives on through her music and her words, but our community will never be the same without her sweet smile, those sparkling eyes and her warm embrace.
As the Three Yiddish Divas, Adrienne, Tova and I traveled the world together – and each city was another adventure. We made each other laugh, toasted our successes, shared our secrets and forged unique friendships. As I share these pictures, the memories are a comfort in this time of incredible sadness.
Zol zi hobn a likhtikn gan-eydn.
Kovod ir ondenk… may her memory be for a blessing.
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Divas on the Danube…
Three Yiddish Divas Dazzle Vienna
The Whirlwind Tour!
Three Yiddish Divas in Vienna
We arrived on Thursday, rehearsed early Friday, then performed on Saturday night to a sold-out crowd at Vienna’s magnificent Konzerthaus, Berio-Saal. It was all part of the Juddischer Kulturherbst 2010.
Lovingly subtitled: Humor – Weisheiten (Wisdom) – Musik. “Oj, s’is gut!” indeed, it was very, very good. The festival presenters wined us and dined us… and the entire experience was sumptuous and grand!
600 Year old buildings and me...
If you’ve never been to Vienna, it is certainly one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Walking through the 1st district, every step is a complication of medieval architecture, Imperial opulence and contemporary 21st Century commercialism. Mind boggling ~ thought-provoking ~ really expensive! Whoa! Vienna’s history is also a complex realm, especially in dealing with the causes and aftermath of the occupation. As artists performing in a Yiddish festival, it was not lost on any of us that this is an ongoing dilemma.
Vienna's Konzerthaus
But Vienna’s revitalized Jewish community is alive, diverse and thriving. We attended Shabbos services at the Stadtempel on Judenstrasse, the largest congregation in Vienna – a city known for it’s a capella choral mastery. I didn’t know what to expect, but as we walked through the doors, the 19th Century hall echoed with the voices of an eight-man choir chanting the service with moving emotion. My great grandparents were born into this Austrian musical tradition, and I can’t help but think my own family’s love of a capella Barbershop singing was inspired by this legacy. It’s a thought, right?
Auf vider zehen, Wien… until we meet again!
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Joanne WHO?
I'm a New York based broadway actor and singer who also performs in concerts and music festivals across the U.S., Canada and Europe. When I'm not on tour, I write and direct a really hip and innovative off-b'way kids show ~ I'm on the council of Actors' Equity and frequently sing the national anthem at professional sporting events. I love Barbershop harmony, playing my little red accordion and my husband's cooking... That's me!!