"Der Golem" Silent Film with Live Music

Our 34th Season Premiere!

✨ Monsters and magic spells! A masterwork of German expressionist cinema meets a live klezmer-infused score in a vibrant feast for the eyes and ears.

Paul Wegener’s 1920 pioneering silent horror film, Der Golem, was so popular on its release that it sold out movie houses in both Germany and America for months, inspired Golem-themed operettas, and was a critical influence on the 1931 cult film Frankenstein.

Drawn from a medieval folk legend, Der Golem tells the tale of oppressed Jews in 16th century Prague who create a monster out of clay to protect themselves, only to see it violently turn against them.

To harmonize with the atmosphere of the film, Israeli-born composer Betty Olivero takes traditional Yiddish folk-tunes and music from the Jewish liturgy and reimagines them. The resulting score for clarinet and strings is colorful, ominous, and exciting—and the experience of hearing live musicians accompany the action on the big screen promises to be unforgettable.

The Avalon String Quartet: Blaise Magnière, violin; Marie Wang, violin; Anthony Devroye, viola; Cheng-Hou Lee, cello.

Saerom Kim, clarinet; Jonathan Yates, conductor

“The Avalon–an ensemble that invites you—ears, mind, and spirit—into its music.” — Chicago Tribune