If I Were a Rich Man

Jan Peerce was a great singer, universally acclaimed as one of the outstanding artists of his time. Beginning with Peerce’s roots on the Lower East Side of New York, this film takes us uptown and around the world with him. During his brilliant career, he appeared both as an opera singer and as a Jewish cantor. Only few singers were able to develop such a double career (among them Peerce's brother-in-law Richard Tucker), but many cantors envied the opera singers and tried to introduce some of the charm of the stage into the music of the synagogue. The movie presents the singer's life through music performances, interviews with famed concert violinist (and host) Isaac Stern and compelling footage, some of which has never been publicly shown before. The lecture will tell the story of the cantors who were captivated by the charms of the opera, and together with the documentary film will celebrate the dynamic, entertaining and witty personality of this legendary singer.