Maureen Lipman will give a world exclusive performance of the title song from a lost musical by Lionel Bart and Roger Cook as part of an online live fundraiser in February.
Lipman will sing the title song from Next Year In Jerusalem (a musical inspired by the life of Israeli stateswoman Golda Meir which has been ‘lost’ for over 40 years) as part of JMI’s World Tour Online Gala on 11 February 2021.
Hosted by broadcaster Suzy Klein, historian Simon Schama and Michael Grade, the global event will feature the stars and champions of JMI, the charity that transforms lives through Jewish music.
Discussing working with Bart on Next Year In Jerusalem, Cook said: “We became great friends and wanted to write a musical together about a strong woman – her story was the stuff of movies, so we decided it had to be Golda Meir.
“We worked for six months straight in Lionel’s attic in Soho in 1975. We went to the Albert Hall and saw Golda live and even went on a ‘research’ trip to Israel together – but we certainly didn’t do much writing there!
“Then in ’76 I moved to Nashville. Lionel came and stayed and we laid down the songs together. ‘Next Year In Jerusalem’ was the second song that we wrote together for the show. I came up with the melody which Lionel wanted to change; but he came round to liking it and wrote some great lyrics.
“I wish Lionel was alive and kicking, as he would be crazy proud that finally after all these years this lost musical is going to be heard and have a life.”
Other highlights of the evening will be the world premiere of Shura Lipovsky’s topical new Yiddish song ‘Der Iker (The Issue)’ and Claude-Michel Schönberg speaking about the inspiration behind his emotional Les Misérables anthem ‘Bring Him Home’ followed by a performance of his iconic song.
Commenting on the event, the chair of JMI Jennifer Jankel said: “Growing up as daughter of the No 1 British band leader Joe Loss, music has always played a huge part in my life. It has been an enormous honour to immerse myself in the rich and diverse living heritage of Jewish music, which we celebrate tonight. And I am delighted that from 7pm on the night you will be able to listen to some of Joe Loss’ iconic big band sounds from his archive recordings. Enjoy.”
JMI’s World Tour Online Live Gala will be available free to view with viewers invited to donate at www.jmi.org.uk.
Twenty per cent of all donations raised will support the work of JMI’s partners Nightingale Hammerson, an organisation which provides residential and nursing care for older people in the Jewish community.
Angela Thomas
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