Hazzan Gershon Sirota
Gershon – Yitskhok Leibovich Sirota was born in 1874 in Podolia, Ukraine. He became one of the leading cantors of Europe during the “Golden Age of Hazzanut” (cantorial music),
CLICK HERE FOR 1928 RECORDING OF Ovinu Malkeinu https://youtu.be/9ad2JBwFnYg
Sirota began his cantorial career in Odessa, then spent eight years in Vilna as cantor of the Shtatshul (State Synagogue) there.
It was in Vilna that he began his collaboration with choirmaster Leo Lowe, which would continue throughout his career. He performed on numerous occasions throughout Europe, and in 1902 he sang at a reception in honour of Theodor Herzl, the founder of the Zionist Movement.
In 1907, Sirota assumed the position of cantor at the prestigious Tłomackie Street Synagogue in Warsaw. He continued his concert appearances around Europe, and even sang in Carnegie Hall in New York City to a sold out crowd. While cantor at the Tłomackie Synagogue, he also began recording his music.The first Jewish records, made in Vienna, Berlin, and St. Petersburg and spread across the whole Jewish world, were of the two famous cantors: Gershon Sirota and Zavel Kwartin. As the technology improved, he was constantly rerecording the songs, so that listeners can trace the improvement of his rich tenor voice over the years.
While Sirota eventually left the synagogue over disputes concerning his frequent performances, he continued to live in Warsaw. Nevertheless, he travelled frequently, and his concerts were attended by Jewish and Christian audiences alike—and according to some accounts, even by Caruso.
Sirota was reputed to have had a generous disposition, and it was not uncommon for him to officiate at the wedding of a poor family for no remuneration. Even so, he did not allow people to take advantage of him and after a dispute with his congregation over his appearances outside the Synagogue, he parted company with them.
Returning to Warsaw after a trip abroad in 1938, he was later trapped in the Warsaw Ghetto.
It was unfortunate for Sirota that he happened to be in Warsaw at the outbreak of the war. Although he could easily have left, because of his wide-spread fame, he was given an opportunity few others had. He was given permission to leave by the Nazis, yet he remained there to be with his family.Living in the Warsaw Ghetto at 6, Volinski Street – Gershon, and his entire family died together in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising on April 19, 1943. May they all rest in peace.
Recordings from 1928 on Youtube:
Shomoh Vatismach Zion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDUvsEhFXxI&list=RDtbnd8xN5_n8&index=2
Avinu Malkeinu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ad2JBwFnYg
Kol Nidrei: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo-L8-tlSxQ
Ritze with Vilna Choir 1903: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBynlRKlINw
High Holiday Selections: https://rsa.fau.edu/album/40224
Hazzan Sirota singing E Lucevan Le Stelle Tosca https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9zmDirA0N8
PHOTO CREDIT AND TEXT: Wikepedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gershon_Sirota
PHOTO CREDIT: – Warsaw Ghetto 1943 – Wikimedia Commons
proud to be,’part of this lineage…