Symphony Space in New York will present the U.S. premiere of Alexander Manotskov’s contemporary chamber opera “The Creation of the World or Kabbalat Shabbat” on Feb. 8, 2026, at 6 p.m.

The work reimagines the creation story as a cosmic musical event, drawing on Jewish mysticism and a wide range of instrumental traditions.

The production is led by Emilia Kivelevich, who serves as both musical and stage director and Venera Kazarova appears onstage as the “Divine Presence.”

“‘Creation of the world’ was, and still is, an entertaining process. This is a chamber opera, not a ‘ritual’ or ‘spiritual’ event, it exists entirely in the realm of art – therefore, even though some ritual elements have been used in the score and the staging, the goal is to provide the audience with an artistic experience,” Manotskov told OperaWire.

The ensemble represents the seven days of Creation with Anton Tsirin (Indian harmonium), Alexander Manotskov (cello), Ivano Onavi (bansuri flute), Jim Galaxy (flugelhorn), Anushaant Nainai Vijayan (ghatam, mridangam), and Benjamin Stein (santur), with Kivelevich embodying and directing the seventh day, Shabbat.

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