GEFEN, ELI

Israeli Composer Eli Gefen formed Alei Gefen Chorus in Tel-Aviv in 1990 with the aim of using devotional music as an instrument of tolerance and understanding; to deliver a poignant and powerful message of reconciliation between faiths and peoples. The Chorus would like to be seen as a witness to the hopes and values of those who long for peace and friendship. 

 

“Alei Gefen” has gained a significant reputation for its wide-ranging repertoire of secular and sacred works which it has performed in Israel’s major venues. Abroad they have performed in London’s Royal Albert Hall, in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal (Britten - War Requiem); Westminster Abbey (A ceremony of Hebrew sacred songs), Covent Garden Festival (Rossini - Moses out of Egypt), Royal Festival Hall, 2005 (Tippett - A Child of our Time), as well as in Europe’s leading choral festivals. They have brought their songs to audiences in Madrid and Zaragoza, and appeared with an Arab Christian Choir in “Together in Song” at Jerusalem International YMCA (2006). Their most recent concerts took place in the Alcazar of Seville and in San Juan De Dios of Granada (March 2007). 

 

Israeli choral conductor Eli Gefen was born in Bratislava. He studied violin with the concertmaster of the Vienna State Opera and choral conducting under Gary Bertini and Simon Halsey. Gefen was a baritone soloist in Israel’s leading choirs and a bassoonist with the Israel Chamber Orchestra. As principal conductor and music director of the Kibbutzim Youth Orchestra and Choirs, he won first prize in several competitions. 

 

“Alei Gefen” is a representative Chorus of the Department of Events and Performing Arts 

Tel-Aviv – Yafo Municipality 

Gefen: Tel-Fax No. 00 972 3 51 71 858 

Email: gefen_e@012.net.il