Joseph Rumshinsky’s Di Khaznte returns to the stage for the first time in nearly a century in a historic performance reconstructed from the composer’s original orchestrations preserved in UCLA Special Collections. Presented in an abridged version of the legendary WEVD Chunky Program, the evening also features music from Di Goldene Kale and Ruth, with special guests to be announced.

This event is made possible by the Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.

This historic free concert marks the first performance of Di Khaznte (The Cantor’s Wife) in over three-quarters of a century. Di Khaznte, composed in 1918 by Joseph Rumshinsky, with lyrics by star actor and director Boris Thomashefsky, is reconstructed from Rumshinsky’s original orchestrations preserved in UCLA’s Special Collections, home to the world’s most significant collection of Rumshinsky’s original manuscript scores, orchestral parts, and libretti. Presented in an abridged version from the WEVD Yiddish radio program “Chunky Chocolate Theatre of the Air,” our performance offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the richness, sophistication, and vitality of one of America’s greatest Yiddish musical theater composers.

The evening also showcases other highlights from the archive, featuring selections from Rumshinsky’s musical Di Goldene Kale (The Golden Bride) and the world premiere of an aria from his Hebrew opera, Ruth, as well as a newly discovered art song, “A gute nakht, velt,” illuminating the remarkable breadth of his compositional voice. Distinguished performers, including Zalmen Mlotek of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene and legendary Yiddish performer Mike Burstyn, join UCLA artists and scholars in celebrating a composer central to Jewish musical history.

More than a concert, this event inaugurates a new chapter in the study and performance of Joseph Rumshinsky by UCLA’s Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience at the Herb Alpert School of Music. Through its ongoing initiative to reconstruct and perform works that have been silent for decades, the Milken Center ensures that this extraordinary repertoire not only can once again be heard by contemporary audiences but also is preserved for future generations. In the weeks prior to the concert, panels of scholars will discuss topics related to Rumshinsky and his music via a series of live Zoom events. Click the registration link to join us for this unique performance.