The Israeli Opera will present the U.S. premiere of “Theodor: The Unknown Story of Herzl” on Sept. 23, 2024.

The showcase is set to take place at the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Cultural Center in New York. The opera film stars Oded Reich, Noam Heinz, and Anat Czarny. The film will be accompanied by live performances of pieces from the opera by the three starring soloists.

This opera production, which took three years to write, was composed by Yonatan Cnaan, directed by librettist Ido Ricklin and conducted by Nimrod David Pfeffer. It focuses on the life of Theodor Herzl, a major figure of the modern Zionist movement and the state of Israel. Opera Now magazine chose it as one of the world best operas for 2023 and the production was filmed by Ellaacomm in front of an audience after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas.

“The Israeli Opera is proud to bring forward Herzl’s exceptional story through this original opera of the highest artistic quality,” Tali Barash Gottlieb, the Israeli Opera’s Executive Director, said in an official press release. “We are certain that its unique significance, especially in these challenging times for Israel and for world Jewry, will resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.”