Ages Grades 5-6
Length 45-60 minutes | Single session | Class visit, youth series theatre performance or school assembly
Group Size Suitable for groups of any size though best for intimate numbers
Embark on a musical trek through a nearly lost world with Guy Mendilow Ensemble’s The Forgotten Kingdom. Journey through former Ottoman lands starting in Sarajevo and winding through Salónica in a narrative-driven performance reimagining the historical record of Sephardic communities of the Balkans and Mediterranean.
In this sweeping adventure brought to life by an "international tour-de-force" (Bethlehem Morning Call) from the Middle East, South and North America, music and storytelling conjure an imagi-nation lost to war, recorded in a language that blends archaic Spanish with Turkish and Greek. The bittersweet yearning of fado, the rhythmic and emotional intensity of flamenco combine with cinematic arrangements stirring those familiar with the culture and those new to it.
Rendering stories and songs of an older age with drama, humour and heart, The Forgotten Kingdom finds highly resonant, deeply moving connections to contemporary struggles, debates, and dilemmas. It’s a performance that "explodes with artistry, refinement, and excitement." (Hebrew Union College, OH)
Awarded National Endowment for the Arts Art Works grant for public engagement with diverse and excellent art and the strengthening of communities through the arts.
Teaching Resources
The Forgotten Kingdom (Grades 5-6) Sample Teachers' Guide (PDF)
An All-Too-Brief Introduction to Ladino (Sephardic) Song
Sephardic Field Recording Archive
Sephardic Studies at University of Washington, Seattle (including Digital Museum)
The Forgotten Kingdom — Background Booklet from the Album (pdf)
“Our school audiences were absolutely enthralled by the Guy Mendilow Ensemble. Guy’s compelling presence draws young people into a musical and narrative journey that sparkles with humor and humanity, compassion and joy.
The Forgotten Kingdom opens a space to experience Ladino music and culture from a contemporary perspective, through the captivating and soulful singing of Sofia Tosello and Guy Mendilow, and the sensitive musicality of the entire ensemble.
In addition to his consummate musicianship, Guy Mendilow brought a high level of organization, responsiveness, and generosity to his residency that were an absolute joy to work with.”