Before a gala audience that heard the world premiere performance of Darius Milhaud’s “Israel’s Bar Mitzvah Cantata”–a work especially commissioned by the Government of Israel–the first musical festival of Israel opened here last night.
Present in the audience, which listened raptly to the cantata, played by the Israel Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and sung by the Rinat Choir, were President and Mrs. Izhak Ben-Zvi, members of Israel’s Cabinet, and the Justices of the Israel Supreme Court. Mr. Milhaud was prevented by illness from coming here for the premiere, and his place as conductor of the cantata was taken by Gary Bertini. Maureen Forrester, Canadian contralto, was the soloist.
The festival, which is to continue through September 18, will feature cellist Pablo Casals, violinist Isaac Stern, pianists Eodolf Serkin and Eugene Istomin, the Budapest String Quartet and the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. Violinist Alexander Schneider, of the Budapest Quartet, is musical director for the festival.
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