Joseph M. Rumshinsky, leading composer for the Yiddish stage in the United States, died here yesterday after an operation. He was 74.
Mr. Rumshinsky, who was also a conductor, pianist and partner in numerous productions on the Yiddish stage, wrote more than 100 operettas for that stage over the period of half a century as well as music for dramas and other productions. He was working on an opera in Hebrew, entitled “Ruth,” which was to have been produced in Israel, when be became ill. He was also engaged, in recent months, in writing the score for a musical for the English stage.
An intimate of virtually every major figure connected with the Yiddish theatre, Mr. Rumshinsky was a member of the board of directors of the Yiddish Theatrical Alliance, an honorary member of the Hebrew Actors Union, one-time president of the Society of Jewish Composers and Song Writers, and a member of the Cantors Association. Born in Russia where he studied music, Mr. Rumshinsky came to the United States in 1904.
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