Isrotel Classicameri

The Isrotel ClassiCameri tradition is still going strong, as the acclaimed festival celebrated its 22nd year.

The trip should have been called the ESRA Camaraderie trip, since the group of 50 ESRA members was such a great group. We spent four wonderful days together. The Eilat sunny weather was perfect and unlike the rest of the country, we had no rain.

We stayed at the Isrotel Lagoona Hotel where the staff made us feel very comfortable and for Friday evening dinner they set the tables in such a way that the ESRA group could all hold a Kabbalat Shabbat together.

The concerts were held in the Royal Beach Hotel events hall. As always, it was very special with the Raanana Symphonette Orchestra leading the entire event with the talented David Sebba conducting. Also conducting were Kornilios Michalidis, Nimrod David Pfeffer and Yishai Steckler. The whole orchestra played throughout the four days, accompanying many amazingly talented musicians such as the virtuoso Liat Cohen, the French-Israeli classical guitarist. Liat played a very special performance of Vivaldi Guitar concerto with the audience enjoying every moment. We watched and listened in awe to Sergei Krylov from Russia playing the violin and he received a standing ovation after each of his incredible performances. The audience was captivated with each concerto he played.

At one point, there were eight virtuoso cellists on stage, a unique repertoire of classical literature presented especially for the festival under the guidance and direction of Prof. Hillel Zori with guest artist soprano Tali Ketzef. With her amazing voice, she sang the great Mass in C minor and Mozart's Requiem.

We listened to the beautiful and unique countertenor voice of Yanic D'or. We even had a singing lesson from Yishai Steckler who boasts an impressive resume as an opera conductor. It was great fun.

The audience on each of the days and evenings was entertained to the highest level. Can't wait for next year.