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Israeli Opera's new musical director says 'No' to Wagner By Haggai Hitron Richard Wagner and his works will remain a sensitive topic in Israel for many years, the Israeli Opera's new musical director, conductor David Stern, told reporters yesterday. "I don't think it's such a great loss to Israeli audiences. I still conduct Wagner in other places around the world, but there are many other things that are worthwhile to conduct here," he said. Advertisement Stern takes the podium for the first time this week. Under Stern's baton, the opera will return to performing Georgian-born Israeli composer Yosef Bardanashvili's "A Journey to the End of the Millennium," based on the novel by author A.B. Yehoshua and directed by Omri Nitzan. Stern added that he is a fan of the French repertoire and would be happy to emphasize those works in the Opera's future performances. Stern is replacing Asher Fisch, who left the Opera after accusing General Director Hana Munitz of making decisions while ignoring artistic considerations. Munitz said yesterday that Stern was one of the leading candidates to replace Fisch, and that he accepted the offer almost immediately. Stern, the son of renowned violinist Isaac Stern, has accumulated a formidable reputation of his own and proven his conducting talent in previous performances with the Israeli Opera. Regarding his family legacy, Stern said, "My father was in New York, and his soul is there and that's where his career blossomed. I've lived from a young age in Paris, and worked as a musician in two areas my father never dealt with: ancient music and opera." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Boycotting Wagner The composer's works will remain a sensitive topic in Israel for many years. Bound for Gaza The Libyan ship is the most notable attempt yet to break the Gaza blockade.

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