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 pioneering 1920 silent horror film Der Golem was so popular on release that it sold out movie houses in both Germany and America for months, inspired Golem-themed operettas, and became a critical influence on the 1931 film Frankenstein. Drawn from a medieval Jewish legend, Der Golem tells the tale of the Jews of 16th-century Prague, who create a giant figure out of clay to protect themselves—only to see it turn on them with violence. To heighten the atmosphere, Israeli-born composer Betty Olivero weaves together traditional Yiddish folk tunes and Jewish liturgical music into a haunting score for clarinet and strings. Colorful, ominous, and electrifying, the experience of hearing live musicians accompany the action on the big screen promises to be unforgettable. 

Betty Olivero

Events

Past events

Nov 2, 2025

Close Encounters With Music: “The Golem” – A Vision in Sound and Cinema with the Avalon String Quartet · Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

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