I am a Stranger Here Myself – The Music of Kurt Weill
A Musical Journey Through the Life of Kurt Weill

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Overview

Kurt Weill was a German-born American composer who created a revolutionary kind of opera of sharp social satire in collaboration with the writer Bertolt Brecht. He was born in 1900, into a Jewish family in Saxony, in what was then the German Empire. His father was cantor of the local synagogue. Weill died, almost exactly half a century later, in New York city, the hub of glitz. What happened in between, which established him as one of the most interesting and versatile composers of the twentieth century, is a tale almost worthy of one of his operas or musicals. Weill’s political and musical ideas and his Jewish birth made him persona non grata to the Nazis, and he left Berlin for Paris and then for London. His music was banned in Germany until after World War II. He was a major collaborator with Berthold Brecht, Maxwell Anderson and Ira Gershwin and was married (twice!) to Lotte Lenya, who became famous after his death as Rosa Klebb in ‘From Russia With Love.

Derek Blyth will tell the story, with songs from Die Dreigroschenoper, Lady in the Dark and many others, performed by Jill Taylor, visuals on screen and anecdotes aplenty.

Derek and Jill teamed up in 2016 to perform for the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society and from there to the Didsbury Arts Festival where they have become a regular and very popular feature of the programme.

Practical Information

Booking is essential.

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

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Derek Blyth

Derek Blyth was born near Edinburgh and studies music there and at the Universities of Aberdeen and Durham. A very experienced performer, lecturer, teacher and conductor, he is also president of the Wagner Society of Manchester, a former member of the London Accordion Orchestra, and Chairman of the Almshouse Trust in his home town.

Jill Taylor

Jill Taylor studied music and performance at Manchester Polytechnic. As well as being a regular soloist for weddings and funerals. Oratorio performances have included Durufleé Faure, and Verdi Requiems, Messiah, Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony, Mozart C minor mas, Bach B minor mass and Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. Recital programmes and concert work take Jill all over the country.