Flying Lessons, Nava Semel's acclaimed book was adapted to the stage and became a new chamber opera, composed by Ella Milch- Sheriff one of Israel's finest composers. Milch-Sheriff and Semel - the team who also created the successful opera And the Rat Laughed - are bringing to the stage an original new piece, very Israeli in its landscapes, sounds and spirit.
The plot takes us back to the first years of the State of Israel.
Monsieur Maurice Havivel (Meaning in Hebrew "Beloved by God") immigrated to Israel from the island of Djerba - off the shores of Tunisia. Deep in his heart he keeps the secret legend of the flying Jews, who came two thousand years ago to that remote spot, carrying on their wings a door from the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem. In a small village full of citrus groves, Monsieur Maurice agrees to reveal the long guarded secret and teach young Hadara how to fly. Hadara is enchanted by this stranger who makes a living as a shoe-maker in a place where everything is "one and only". Losing her mother at an early age and living in a provincial community where she is constantly being watched, had made Hadara lonely and vulnerable. The friendship Monsieur Maurice offers her is a key to a magical world where she at last feels that she belongs. From the top of the trees, under the evasive blue of the sky, Hadara will spread her arms and fly.
Flying Lessons is the story of people who lost their home and make a brave attempt to rebuild a new one. This opera is about immigrants, survivors and dreamers who desperately hold on to their inner treasures and try to find hope even under tragic circumstances. Despite cruel memories of the past and bitter reality, they live a new fantasy in the land of their dreams.
Ella Milch-Sheiff's unique music made her one of Israel's leading composers. Her artistic collaboration and strong bond with Nava Semel produced the successful opera And the Rat Laughed which became a huge success and had been running on the stage of the Cameri Theatre for five years. Both author and musician are dedicated in bringing audiences closer to the painful legacy of the Holocaust and they opened to the public the unknown chapter of the suffering of North African Jews under Nazi occupation. It also reflects the new immigrant's courageous quest and their extra ordinary power of survival.
Ella combines contemporary Israeli motifs with traditional Tunisian elements, especially those written by the Jews of Djerba. The opera is an exciting new "musical carpet" where East and West live together.
Flying Lessons was directed by Yael Ronen, one of Israel's most brilliant young directors.
The opera is conducted by both Maestro Doron Salomon the music director and principal conductor of The Israel Sinfonietta Beer Sheva and by young conductor Ethan Shmeisser from the New Israeli Opera.
The book Flying Lessons came out in 1988 and was translated to many languages to rave reviews. "Semel weaves dreamlike images and innocent profundity into a coming-of-age tale of great power"... wrote the Publisher Weekly in the USA.
"A novel that connects the suffering, longing and will-to-power of childhood with magic".... wrote the Washington Post.
From the Libretto:
Monsieur Maurice
I was born there.
The one and only island called Djerba,
Off the coast of Tunisia.
A small, remote island,
And on it a one and only synagogue,
Surrounded by blue.
Hadara
Monsieur Maurice, maybe it’s an island in the sky?
Teach me how to fly!
Monsieur Maurice
Hadara, a hard and fast rule that’s always true,
A hard and fast rule that’s always true,
Never forget it, whatever you do.
When you reach the highest heights –
The blue disappears.
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