Article on the Arion Society's Denial of Membership to a Jew

Event Information

Venue(s):

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
4 January 2026

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

07 Feb 1866

Program Details



Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  Arion Gesangverein

Citations

1)
Article: New-Yorker Musik-Zeitung, 07 February 1866, 74.

      It has come to our attention that there is a quarrel between the Arion Chorus and a correspondent of the Ill. Staatszeitung, because the chorus has denied membership to an Israeli Jew due to his religion.  The correspondent reminds in a letter of the lessons taught in Lessings “Nathan, der Weise” about religious intolerance.  “It seems as if the Arion chorus has learned nothing from this wonderful work.”

     It is said that the Israeli applicant is a man of fine and honorable character, however, he is not allowed to be in their midst because he is a Jew.

     Another comparison is made by the correspondent with Philip II, who persecuted Jews, Protestants and Moors and had them burned at the stake.  Philip came to a gruesome end by being eaten alive by lice.

     The Arion chorus seems not to mind selling tickets to Jews; however, it denies them membership in their society. Several Israelis have already returned their tickets and have withdrawn from the Arion Society.