The Ring of Myths

In the fall of 1938, following Kristallnacht, the symphonic orchestra in Palestine cancelled the performance of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. No one could foresee that this would be the beginning of a never-ending boycott. This analysis of the controversy sheds light on the boycott that began in a society struggling for its existence and collective identity and continues in a well-established culture that maintains close ties with Germany and German culture. At present Wagner is known in Israel mainly as a symbol of the Holocaust; he is the only composer who aroused strong opposition when attempts were made to publicly play his music. The Ring of Myths includes interpretations from new perspectives on the place of the Holocaust in Israeli society and the processes of change until 2012.