Free | No ticket required

Alicia Svigals, violinist/composer and a founder of the Grammy-winning Klezmatics, is the world’s foremost klezmer fiddler. Alicia almost singlehandedly revived the tradition of klezmer fiddling, which had been on the brink of extinction until she recorded her debut album Fidl in the 1990s. In February 2018, Svigals and jazz pianist Uli Geissendoerfer released the album Beregovski Suite, their fantasy on klezmer melodies culled from the archive of early 20th century Soviet Jewish ethnomusicologist Moshe Beregovski. In 2019 she was a Finalist for the NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in the category of Folk/Traditional Arts. In May 2023, Svigals was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by the Jewish Theological Seminary for “extraordinary contributions to the arts and Jewish life. In June 2024 she released her newest album, Fidl Afire-a return to her roots with a full-on party band.

Since 2018, Svigals has been collaborating with celebrated silent film pianist/composer Donald Sosin on a series of scores for newly-restored silent movies: The Ancient Law (1923), City without Jews (1924), and a 1992 faux-silent film by artist Eleanor Antin, A Man Without a World. They co-compose and record the scores for theatrical release and home media. They also tour these projects internationally as ‘cine-concerts’-live performances to screenings of the films-with the support from the Sunrise Foundation for Education and the Arts.

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Klez Fest Schedule of Events

Friday, September 20
3 pm-4:30 pm: Klezmer masterclass with violinist Alicia Svigals
Collins Recital Hall, Hamel Music Center, 740 University Avenue

7:30 pm: The Green Cousin-A Folk Ballet. Featuring Kanopy Dance Company, with live music by Elm Duo.
Music Hall, 925 Bascom Mall

Saturday, September 21
2 pm: Yid Vicious and Tsuzamen concert. Concert with Madison favorites Yid Vicious (playing their unique blend of traditional and contemporary klezmer) and Tsuzamen (playing world music with a Jewish vibe).
Music Hall, 925 Bascom Mall

7:30 pm: Alicia Svigals’ Klezmer Fiddle Express concert. Alicia Svigals, the world’s foremost klezmer fiddler and a founder of the Grammy-winning Klezmatics, will make joyous, kinetic music with a full-on old-school klezmer dance band playing a mix of original compositions and traditional arrangements.
Collins Recital Hall, Hamel Music Center, 740 University Avenue

Sunday, September 22
2 pm: The Ancient Law Cine-Concert. Ewald André Dupont’s 1923 silent film The Ancient Law with live original music composed and performed by violinist Alicia Svigals and silent film pianist Donald Sosin.
Collins Recital Hall, Hamel Music Center, 740 University Avenue