Alfred Behrens. Des Schammes Traum [“The Sexton’s Dream.”]

(MUSIC)

Hamburg

1907

Written, illustrated and decorated in colored inks and gouache. text in German with some Hebrew.

This charming booklet contains the lyrics for a musical performed in honor of Hamburg’s Chief Cantor Nathan Jakob Susskind (1831-1915) to commemorate his many years of service. Written by Alfred Behrens, the characters include personified versions of all the Jewish holidays, played by a dozen performers. The musical numbers are each denoted with a traditional tune from the synagogue liturgy. Written in an elegant hand, with the name Susskind highlighted several times, this special copy is doubtlessly the unique exemplar, created as a keepsake for the honoree himself.