The Great Dictionary of the Yiddish Language

Annual Nusakh Vilne Memorial Program Performance Presented by YIVO in collaboration and with generous support from American Opera Projects, the League for Yiddish, and the American Society for Jewish Music; co-sponsored by Nusakh Vilne Thursday, September 18 7:00pm ET Sunday, September 21 1:00pm ET

Join YIVO for the world premiere production of The Great Dictionary of the Yiddish Language, a new chamber opera with music by Pulitzer Prize finalist Alex Weiser and libretto by Ben Kaplan. The opera tells the remarkable true story of Yiddish linguist Yudel Mark’s unfinished effort to create a comprehensive Yiddish dictionary. 

With a runtime of 50 minutes, the opera is performed by an ensemble of five singers, combining characters based on historical figures — Yudel Mark and Max Weinreich, with those inspired by Jewish mystical themes; the character of Yudel Mark is haunted by three ‘alefs,’ three divine emanations of the Yiddish language—played by three mezzo-sopranos—who compel him to breathe new life into Yiddish as he works to complete the dictionary. 

The Great Dictionary invites audiences to contemplate the surprisingly grand ambition of Yiddish culture after its decimation during the Holocaust and to consider the power of language to transform and shape us.

Directed by Rebecca Miller Kratzer, the production will feature tenor Jason Weisinger, baritone Gideon Dabi, and mezzo-sopranos Kristin Gornstein, Kate Maroney, and Kelly Guerra. An ensemble featuring clarinet, string quintet, and piano will be led by conductor David Bloom. The production will feature scenic design by Michael Bennett Lewis, projection design by Camilla Tassi, lighting design by Stacey Boggs, and costume design by Matsy Stinson.

YIVO is grateful to the many donors who enable us to continue offering our programming free of charge. As we mark our centennial, we invite you to consider supporting this world premiere production. Your support will be acknowledged in the program booklet, and all gifts $1,000 and up will appear on YIVO’s Centennial Honor Roll in perpetuity. Donations can be made here.

Presented as YIVO's Annual Nusakh Vilne Memorial Program and as a part of YIVO’s 2025 centennial celebration, this production is presented in collaboration and with generous support from American Opera Projects, the League for Yiddish, and the American Society for Jewish Music.

The Great Dictionary of the Yiddish Language is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. America Opera Project’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council. AOP’s programs are also made possible in part by the Howard Gilman Foundation.

About the Artists

Alex Weiser’s debut album ​and all the days were purple, was named a 2020 Pulitzer Prize Finalist. The album features songs in Yiddish and English sung by Eliza Bagg. A second album, in a dark blue night, features two song cycles which explore Jewish New York history sung by Annie Rosen. February 2024 saw the premiere of a clarinet concerto, Tfiles, commissioned by POLIN for clarinetist Andrzej Ciepliński and the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra. An active opera composer, Weiser is currently developing Tevye’s Daughters with librettist Stephanie Fleischmann (American Lyric Theater), and The Great Dictionary of the Yiddish Language with librettist Ben Kaplan (American Opera Projects). Weiser is the Director of Public Programs at the YIVO Institute where he curates programs that explore history with an eye to contemporary Jewish culture. At YIVO, Weiser has commissioned over 15 works from leading composers for feature in concerts he has curated.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, librettist​ Ben Kaplan​ studied literature and theater at Williams College. He currently serves as Director of Education at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, where he directs programs that teach Jewish history and culture to a broad and diverse audience. These programs include the Uriel Weinreich Summer Program in Yiddish Language, Literature, and Culture and the YIVO-Bard Winter Program on Ashkenazi Civilization. As a librettist, he creates historically informed dramatic works that chronicle turning points in history lost to contemporary cultural discourse.