Sultan's
Arias in the Old City of Jerusalem
Some of Jerusalem’s most storied venues will come alive with music during the Israeli Opera Festival in June. The second-century Tower of David, a familiar part of the Old City of Jerusalem’s skyline, will be among the historically rich venues for this year’s Israeli Opera Festival. Events will span the first 11 days of June and are expected to attract thousands of visitors from abroad, in addition to Israeli opera fans from across the country. Highlights are to include an opera gala presented by the Italian orchestra Arena di Verona at the Sultan’s Pool, and vocal and chamber music performed inside 10 of Jerusalem’s churches. Verdi’s Aida and Requiem will be performed in the shadow of Masada, the Judean desert mountaintop where a band of Jewish zealots defied conquering Roman armies more than 2000 years ago. An indoor, 7500-seat auditorium has been built here especially for the festival. DOWNLOADS: VIDEO: - 110228b Opera Migdal David Streaming: www.megaupload.com - 110228b Opera Migdal David Streaming NoNarration: www.megaupload.com - 110228b Opera Migdal David Streaming HiRes: www.megaupload.com - 110228b Opera Migdal David Streaming HiRes NoNarration: www.megaupload.com TEXT: - 110228b Opera Migdal David INTRO: www.megaupload.com - 110228b Opera Migdal David SCRIPT: www.megaupload.com Please credit the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Celebrating Arts & Craft in Jerusalem
For two weeks every August, Sultan’s Pool, the valley beneath the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City, thrums with the full spectrum of culture. By Harvey Stein (Israel MFA) An annual event for 35 years, Jerusalem’s International Arts and Crafts Festival, taking place in Sultan’s Pool below the Old City walls, is the largest cultural event in the country, showcasing arts, crafts, music, theater and food — from Israel and all over the world. The International Pavilion boasts arts and crafts from more than 30 countries and a small stage for performances from attending countries. In the Israel section, the wares of more than 150 artists and craftspeople are offered for sale. Secrets of various trades are revealed, like those on display at the annual glass blowing demonstration. There are workshops for children as well. This year’s highlight was a workshop all about bees, with a glass-encased beehive transported to the festival as an irresistible draw. Small stages and wandering performers abound throughout the festival grounds, and there’s a main stage where top Israeli performers appear over the two weeks, such as Noa, David Broza, Aviv Gefen and internationally renowned hip hop band Hadag Nahash (SnakeFish). It’s easy to see why Jerusalemites who first visited the festival as children return year after year, until they’re coming with children of their own. Download links (copy/paste to browser): Streaming: www.megaupload.com Hi Res: www.megaupload.com Script:www.megaupload.com