Overture to Glory

Barcode: 58946229 Call Number: International Jewry Material Type: Video -DVD Time: 85 min. Date: c1940, c2008 Language: Yiddish Creator: Directed by Max Nosseck Description: Oysher is a cantor who longs for the world of opera. He leaves his wife and child to fulfill his passion, but eventually loses his voice and humbly returns to his village on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. He learns that his son has passed away, and grief-stricken, he goes to the synagogue. There, Oysher regains his voice as he performs Kol Nidre in a passionate and melodious rendering. It is an important film for several reasons. At the time of the film's release, the culture portrayed here was being effectively wiped out by Hitler and the Nazi regime. Overture to Glory is thus an important record of Eastern European Jewry. Also, this story (based on a supposedly true Jewish folk tale) was specifically written for the talents of Oysher. He was one of the last of the great Yiddish performers, and he gives a fine interpretation of the role. The Yiddish theater had been an important source for talent in turn-of-the-century New York, producing such names as Fanny Brice and George Jessel. Overture to Glory gives the modern-day audience a brief glimpse at what one of those theater pieces may have looked like. Collection: Martin Salinger Resource Collection