My Grandfather’s Prayers

My Grandfather’s Prayers is a multi-media theatrical performance based on the life of Cantor Izso Glickstein (1889-1947), a fourth-generation cantor, child prodigy, and operatic tenor. Izso toured Europe with the Hungarian Opera, was Uber- Cantor at Europe's largest synagogue, recorded for Victor and RCA records, and mentored the young Leonard Bernstein. His story is one of survival despite the adversity of the Russian pogroms, Hungary's White Terror, and two World Wars. He settled in Boston where his powerful golden voice expressed the passion and determination of a people holding on to faith and tradition through the violent diaspora of the 20th century.

His story is enacted by his granddaughter, professional puppeteer Lisa Sturz, using scrolling scenery, shadow puppets, marionettes, digital compositing, poetic text, and visual metaphor while exploring her own ancestry, artistry, and spirituality.