---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2003 09:49:16 +1000 From: "Bernshaw, David" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: I. Oppenheim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [JLM] Verdi and the Sefardim
Dear Irwin, There is a theme Verdi employs for tenor early on in Don Carlos which , at least in the first bar, is identical to the northern european melody used for maoz tzur. While it may be coincidental, the content of this opera relates to the resistance of the Flemish to the power of catholic dominated Spanish empire and in Nabucco, Verdi does relate the battle of the Italian people against the political oppression, to the oppression of the jews in Babylon most effectively. So perhaps one can speculate that Verdi is using a familiar tune associated with religious and political resistance in another sphere as a code for early Italian national resistance of which he was a most significant supporter. With best wishes, David Bernshaw (Melbourne) -----Original Message----- From: I. Oppenheim [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, 3 August 2003 7:58 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [JLM] Verdi and the Sefardim Below I have attached a picture with a transcription of the theme of the Agnus Dei from Verdi's Requiem next to a transcription of a Halleil theme for Pesach, used by the Portuguese Jews in Amsterdam. Both themes are strikingly similar. Do you know whether one of the themes was based on the other, or if both themes have a source in common? Do you know whether this tune is only used by the Sefardim in Amsterdam, or also by Sefardim in other places? Please have a look at the transcription: http://www.joods.nl/~chazzanut/port/verdi.png Groeten, Irwin Oppenheim [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~~~* Chazzanut Online: http://www.joods.nl/~chazzanut/ ---------------------- [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------+ Hosted by Shamash: The Jewish Network http://shamash.org A service of Hebrew College, which offers online courses and an online MA in Jewish Studies, http://hebrewcollege.edu/online/ * * FREE JEWISH LEARNING * * Shamash invites you to join MyJewishLearning.com, a comprehensive, objective, authoritative and interactive learning resource in all areas of Judaism. Free membership via http://www.myjewishlearning.com/shamash ---------------------- [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------=
