Magillah
Artistic direction: Henri Oppenheim
Magillah is the musical project of Henri Oppenheim, a Montreal-based composer, singer, pianist and multi-instrumentalist.
Rooted in klezmer and Yiddish song, Magillah has grown to include original settings of Yiddish poetry, French chanson and new instrumental compositions. Across these different repertoires, Henri and the musicians he works with continue to develop a shared sound, with particular attention to melody, phrasing and the interplay between voices and instruments.
Projects
Tur Malka — Original Yiddish Songs
Henri Oppenheim sets Yiddish poetry written in Canada to original music. Following a first album released in 2016, he is composing new songs based on poems by writers from across Canada, with another album planned for 2027.
Barbara et nous — Two Voices Singing Barbara
The songs of Barbara have accompanied Henri since childhood. He first heard her live at the Olympia in Paris in 1978. Today, he performs her songs with Juulie Rousseau, alternating solo interpretations, duets and vocal harmonies.
Arrangements developed with Maël Oudin bring piano, violin, clarinet and double bass into dialogue with the voices.
Klezmer & Traditional Yiddish Songs
Klezmer is where Magillah began. Henri Oppenheim has been performing and arranging traditional klezmer instrumentals and Yiddish songs for over twenty years.
The repertoire moves between instrumental pieces, songs and improvisation, and also welcomes original material from Tur Malka.
New Instrumental Works — In Development
With support from the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ), Henri is developing a new cycle of instrumental compositions.
About Henri Oppenheim
Henri Oppenheim is a Montreal-based composer, singer, pianist and multi-instrumentalist. He began performing klezmer with Kleztory in 2002 and founded Magillah in 2008.
His compositions and arrangements have been performed by ensembles ranging from small chamber groups to symphony orchestras. After many years of writing songs for other singers, he now performs his own music.
Working with virtuoso musicians whose backgrounds include classical music, klezmer and contemporary repertoire, he continues to explore the relationship between words, melody and instrumental colour.
Booking & contact
Tur Malka — Bookings
Centre des musiciens du monde
diffusion@centredesmusiciens.com
Barbara et nous / Klezmer — Bookings
General inquiries
Henri Oppenheim
info@magillah.com
Montreal, Quebec, Canada