Zina Goldstein
Encyclopedia
Zina Goldstein was a Yiddish theater actress and singer. She was born in Minsk, White Russia before moving to Warsaw. Her parents, who were also musical, supported her becoming a singer. She joined Aryeh Schlossberg's chorus and was given small roles. She became the Prima donna
in Abram Yitzhak Zandberg's Lodz Groys teater, then worked in Rapel's troup and for a short time in Kaminsky's. After the outbreak of the first world war, she became the primadonna in Lodz Scala Theater, run by Juliusz Adler and Herman Sierocki, where she played in a number of European operettas.
In 1920 she was hired by Boris Thomashevsky in New York, where she played in Dos ungarishe meydl. She later co-directed the Liberty Theater with Roland and with Louis Goldberg, whom she married. In 1989 she played at Max Gebil's Public Theater (as Zina Goldberg).
Prima donna
Originally used in opera or Commedia dell'arte companies, "prima donna" is Italian for "first lady." The term was used to designate the leading female singer in the opera company, the person to whom the prime roles would be given. The prima donna was normally, but not necessarily, a soprano...
in Abram Yitzhak Zandberg's Lodz Groys teater, then worked in Rapel's troup and for a short time in Kaminsky's. After the outbreak of the first world war, she became the primadonna in Lodz Scala Theater, run by Juliusz Adler and Herman Sierocki, where she played in a number of European operettas.
In 1920 she was hired by Boris Thomashevsky in New York, where she played in Dos ungarishe meydl. She later co-directed the Liberty Theater with Roland and with Louis Goldberg, whom she married. In 1989 she played at Max Gebil's Public Theater (as Zina Goldberg).
"The Public Theatre carries an able cast to supplement the work of SatzLudwig SatzLudwig Satz was an actor in Yiddish theater and film, best known for his comic roles. A 1925 New York Times article singles him out as the greatest Yiddish comic actor of the time....
. In Zina Goldstein they have an actress that emanates life, and who possesses a voice of fine culture."
Songs
- Vi Derlebt Men Shoyn Amerike Tsu Zeyn by Herman WohlHerman WohlHerman Wohl Born in Otinya near Stanislavov, eastern Galicia. He was raised in a Chasidic home and studied with cantors from the age of 9. He soon began composing, directing choirs, and singing as a Hazzan himself...
and Aaron LebedeffAaron LebedeffAaron Lebedeff , a Yiddish theater star, was born in Homel, White Russia. In childhood he sang for the Hazzan, Borekh David. Having no interest in education, he was sent to learn a trade, but soon he ran away and began to play small roles in a Russian theaters in Boboysk, Minsk and other towns... - Zog es mir nokh a mol (Say it to me again), lyrics by Jacob JacobsJacob JacobsJacob Jacobs , Yiddish theater and vaudeville director, producer, lyricist, songwriter, coupletist, character actor, comic born in Risk, Hungary...
, from Abraham EllsteinAbraham EllsteinAbraham "Abe" Ellstein was an American composer for Yiddish entertainments. Along with Shalom Secunda, Joseph Rumshinsky, and Alexander Olshanetsky, Ellstein was one of the "big four" composers of his era in New York City's Second Avenue Yiddish theatre scene...
and Israel Rosenberg's operetta Der berditchever khosn (The Bridegroom from Berditchev) which starred Ludwig SatzLudwig SatzLudwig Satz was an actor in Yiddish theater and film, best known for his comic roles. A 1925 New York Times article singles him out as the greatest Yiddish comic actor of the time....
and Zina Goldstein, opened the 1930–31 season at the Public Theatre in New York.