163 Years Later, Verdi's "Jérusalem" Comes Home

Giuseppe Verdi's four-act opera "J�rusalem" debuted in Paris in November 1847. Set during the First Crusades at the end of the 11th Century, it tells the story of the Christian soldiers leaving France for Jerusalem. The climax of the story occurs outside the walls of the Old City.

On June 12, a semi-staged version of "J�rusalem" was performed at the Sultan's Pool, below the ancient walls of the city of Jerusalem. The opera was under the direction of David Stem, Music Director of the Israel Opera in Tel-Aviv. Featured soloists with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra were American tenor Scott Piper and the Italian baritone Roberto Servile.

After over a century-and-a-half, "J�rusalem" was given its premiere at the site where story occurred.