Synagogue Nights 2023
Our much-loved Synagogue Nights: a series of intimate performances in our former 1874 Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, are back this autumn!
Situated on Cheetham Hill Road in one of Manchester’s most culturally diverse areas and the city’s historic Jewish quarter, Manchester Jewish Museum creates a space for sharing and connection, through art, food and creative experiences for all. And every autumn, its 1874 grade II* listed Spanish and Portuguese synagogue turns into a performance venue.
This autumn, Synagogue Nights are back with a packed programme of events, spanning multiple genres, including film screenings, musical concerts and a range of gigs from experimental folk to Ladino song. The season celebrates Jewish stories in all their diversity and showcases young talent, from Manchester and beyond.
The season will begin on Sunday, 22 October with a music performance by Fran & Flora. This experimental folk duo, comprising of cellist Francesca Ter-Berg and violinist Flora Curzon, are quickly becoming one of the UK’s most sought-after bands.
Drawing inspiration from their travels and mentors in eastern Europe and beyond, their compositions stem from the melodies of Klezmer, Transylvanian, Romanian, Greek and Armenian music, as well as being influenced by archival recordings. Fran & Flora seek to combine elements of these rich musical traditions with their ever evolving, experimental collaboration. Having just finished their second album together they come to Manchester to present their new music in the museum’s synagogue.
Image: (Left) Francesca Ter-Berg and (Right) Flora Curzon from Fran&Flora.
A week after, on Sunday, 29 October, audiences will be taken on a journey of discovery into songs from across the Jewish diaspora. James Nissen, a Manchester-based singer and klezmer violinist, will perform a repertoire of Jewish songs from all over the world, sung in Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, Greek and English.
From traditional songs, which tell the stories of Jewish people to contemporary songs reflecting on the diasporic experience, this show will make you sing along, dance and go on your own, personal journey through music.
Image: James Nissen
On November 16, the museum will once again welcome the fantastic Noga Ritter Trio. Following on from last year’s sold-out show, Noga, joined by Giuliano Osella (percussion) and Tomer Eldor (piano), returns to Manchester with a new album, “Ima” (Hebrew: mother).
Released in May this year, this debut solo album features 14 incredible musicians, including the award-winning artists Seckou Keita on Kora, Byron Wallen on trumpet, Tony Kofi on saxophone and produced by Liran Donin. Audiences can expect an electric and captivating show with new songs, tracing influences from Noga’s upbringing, travels and encounters, as well as firm favourites to sing- along. Early bookings are encouraged.
Image: Noga Ritter
On Sunday, 26 November the mood will shift to comedy with Tanya Truman Productions’ new piece ‘Becoming Nigella’. This funny, heart-warming and mouth-salivating new musical in concert is inspired by the well-known Nigella Lawson.
When Anna’s estranged mother passes away, she inherits Nigella Lawson’s seminal cookbook ‘How to Eat’. She is surprised to find the book is accompanied by the spirit of Nigella Lawson, who pushes Anna into learning the joys of cooking, failing, and, most importantly, eating. Directed by Grace Taylor and starring Tanya Truman and Natasha Karp, the show is supported by Arts Council England and was initially presented at BEAM2023 at Oxford Playhouse.
Image: Emily Rose Simons
The last show of the season will take place on Sunday, 3 December with a screening of an award-winning documentary, “Out of Exile: The Photography of Fred Stein”. The film traces the extraordinary life of Fred Stein, who was at one time a relatively unknown photographer who created iconic images of the 20th century, including a famous photograph of Albert Einstein and Hannah Arendt.
Directed by a US-based film-maker and Fred’s son, Peter Stein, this documentary brings back Fred Stein’s incredible photographic portfolio to the attention of the world. By drawing on the letters kept by Fred and interviews with his mother Lilo, Peter creates a moving portrait of his parents’ experience of 20th century Europe, whilst also reflecting on his personal journey of getting his father’s work seen and accepted by the art world.
Image: Children reading a newspaper, photograph by Fred Stein
Manchester Jewish Museum is open seven days a week from 10am-5pm and will be open from 6pm on event evenings. To see the full Synagogue Nights programme visit:
