The writers, artists, singers, and musicians of the National Hungarian Jewish Cultural Association (OMIKE), 1939-1944 / edited by Jenő Lévai ; expanded English edition edited by Frederick Bondy ; translated by Anna Etawo.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Lévai, Jenő, 1892-1983, editor.

Bondy, Frederick, 1938- editor, translator.

Series:

Shofar supplements in Jewish studies

Standardized Title:

Írók, színészek, énekesek és zenészek regényes életútja a Goldmark - teremig. English.

Language:

English

Hungarian

Subjects (All):

Országos Magyar Izraelita Közművelődési Egyesület.

Jews--Hungary--Budapest--History--20th century.

Jews.

Jews--Hungary--Intellectual life.

Jews--Hungary--Biography.

Intellectual life.

History.

Hungary.

Hungary--Budapest.

Jews--Intellectual life.

Genre:

Biographies.

History.

Physical Description:

xx, 254 pages ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

West Lafayette, Indiana : Purdue University Press, [2017]

Summary:

In May 1938. Hungary passed anti-Semitic laws causing hundreds of Jewish artists to lose their jobs. In response, Budapest's Jewish community leaders organized an Artistic Enterprise under the aegis of OMIKE Országvs Magyur Israelita Kozmüvelödesi Egyesulet (Hungarian Jewish Cultural Association) to provide employment and livelihood for actors, singers, musicians, conductors, composers, writers, playwrights, painters, graphic artists, and sculptors. Between 1939 and 1944. activities were centered in Goldinark Hall beside the Dobany Street Synagogue in Budapest Hundreds of artists from all over Hungary took part m about one thousand performances, including plays, concerts, cabaret, ballet, operas, and operettas. These performances appealed to the highly cultured Budapest Jewish community, ever desirous of high-caliber events, particularly under oppressive conditions of the time An exhibitions also were held for painters, graphic artists, and sculptors to sell their creations. Lévai's 1943 book (with new, additional chapters by noted historians and musicians) is the core of this expanded edition and provides interviews with individual artists who recall their early lives and circumstances that led them to join the Artistic Enterprise The book records the technical functioning, structure, and operation of this remarkable theater and concert venue. It provides fascinating details about those w ho worked behind the scenes: répétiteurs, hair stylists, and personnel involved with costumes lighting, and scenery. Because the stage was small, clever choreographic and scenery improvisation had to be made, and the stagehands were clearly up to the task. Since these artists were not allowed to perform before the general public or advertise with posters on the streets, the book describes special means devised to overcome these difficulties and bring Jewish audiences into the theater in large numbers. Lastly, the book Carries the theater's story up to Sunday morning. March 19. 1944, a day of infamy, when the German army marched into Hungary and also denotes some 170 OMIKE members who would subsequently perish in the Holocaust. Book jacket.

Contents:

Foreword / Magda Horak

Introduction / Van Deak

Foreword / Jeno Levai

The OMIKE theater in Goldmark Hall

The OMIKE artistic enterprise

Drama company

Musical life in the OMIKE artistic enterprise

The musical direction of the OMIKE (under Vilmos Komor)

The technical operation of OMIKE artistic enterprise

A few interesting statistical data

Afterword / Peter Barsony.

Notes:

Original Hungarian work published in Budapest in 1943.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781557537645

155753764X

OCLC:

957581463

Publisher Number:

99970188099