Inn of the Ghosts

By Nathan Alterman

Hananel, a violinist, ventures out into the world in search of fame, swearing to return to his wife Naomi. Naomi agrees to sacrifice herself for the sake of Hananel’s career. They separate and vow to meet up again at the same place and time twelve years later. Naomi sells herself to the money-changer’s son who is in love with her and becomes his maid, while Hananel goes on to fulfill himself.

Hananel meets various characters on his journey: a beggar who becomes his impresario, an organ-grinder who hands out luck charms, a beautiful innkeeper, scholarly “ghosts” and an enthusiastic crowd of fans. Over the years Hananel reaches the height of fame, but in a moment of crisis and self-reflection, he realizes that the “art” to which he has dedicated his life, and for which he was prepared to abandon Naomi to a life of suffering and loneliness, distanced him from the “real world.”

Duration: About 1 hour and 40 minutes (without intermission)