As the Jewish world roiled over Theodor Herzl’s bold declarations about Jews being a people rather than followers of a religion, the same debate over what it means to be Jewish ripped apart his marriage to Julie Naschauer Herzl, daughter of a wealthy Viennese family, who had no interest in her husband’s fantasies.

The first English opera about Herzl, State of the Jews interweaves the political turmoil of turn-of-the-twentieth-century Europe with the relatively unknown story of Theodor’s marriage.

Featuring Gideon Dabi as Theodor Herzl, Kristin Gornstein as Julie Herzl, Hans Tashjian, Andrew Morstein, and the Temple Emanu-El choir, accompanied by St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble conducted by Emily Senturia. Directed by Omer Ben Seadia with production and lighting design by Joe Beumer and costume design by Barbara Erin Delo. Presented in partnership with American Opera Projects.

Followed by a discussion with composer Alex Weiser and librettist Ben Kaplan.