Musical night of stars

AJN STAFF

B’NAI B’rith’s annual Night of Stars concert on Sunday, November 8 will feature some of the best talent in the local community performing to raise money for Israel.

Headlining the Melbourne show is internationally acclaimed concert pianist Alan Kogosowski.

Kogosowski, who began playing piano as a six-year-old, has toured the world, studying and performing in the United States, Britain, France and Poland.

Kogosowski will perform Rhapsody in Blue, as well as accompanying soprano Emily Wang and cellist Sharon Leibowitz, who herself recently returned from a world tour with the Israeli Opera Company.

Also performing on the night will be young percussionist Jesse Glass; comedy trio Sarah Olcha, Ruth Yaffe and Emerik Olesh; and the Liron choir, who under conductor Maurice Duband will sing Hebrew, English and Yiddish songs.

Up-and-coming singers, brothers Matan and Itai Franco -— who recently won major scholarships at the B’nai B’rith Jewish Youth Music Eisteddfod —- will be joined by their brother Oran to sing Israeli songs.

A number of actors from the Jewish Youth Music Theatre Company will perform songs from the company’s recent show Cabaret, as well as other musicals.

Hosted by John Lawrence, the Night of Stars concert is B’nai B’rith’s major annual fundraiser for Israel.

Now organised by the Victorian chair of the organisation’s Israel committee, Esther Gross, the concert is also held in memory of Lotte Tenenbaum who organised 19 such concerts until her passing in 2000.

The event will be held at the Glen Eira Arts Centre auditorium. Enquiries: (03) 9500 9950 or 0400 081 037.