It may be surprising to some that some of the best musical artists in the world have performed in Israel, considering the fact that this tiny country usually makes the news due to a bombing or political problem. Just recently, the mega-star band Depeche Mode performed an action packed concert to a sold out audience of 40,000 people. Every summer, some of the best jazz and blues performers from all around the world play at the Red Sea International Jazz Festival in Eilat. The Israeli Opera often hosts international stars in their productions, as well as full international performances, such as the Zephirelli Carmen and Tosca. Not only is Israel a place to see international talent, but some of the best classical musicians in the world were actually local. Itzhak Pearlman, Daniel Barenboim, and Gil Shaham are Israeli born and raised.
Israel is home to all music. It’s possible in one week to see a classical concert, a world-class rock performance, a jazz band in a smoky little dive, an opera in a chandeliered hall, a middle-eastern band, and a small acoustic performance. It is possible that no other country on earth, in one small space, has so much music available to be heard.
Some of these include Nick Cave in the Haifa Blues festival, and Sara Lazarus in the Red Sea Jazz Festival. In recent years, international stars such as Madonna, U2, Roger Waters, Macy Gray, and even Paul McCartney have performed in Israel. Despite the politics and despite the wars, musicians continue to flock to Israel, where they are met by an adoring public and high ticket sales. In fact, leafing through a “Time Out” in Tel Aviv can offer over a hundred varied musical performances each week, both local and international. If venturing out of Tel Aviv, the selection is even larger.
There are several centers of musical activity. The largest music center is of course, Tel Aviv, where it is possible to see a different performance each night of the week. There are fantastic concerts and shows outside of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, however. Luckily, Israel is a tiny country, and it takes only 40 minutes to reach the Caesarea Amphitheatre from Tel Aviv, and only an hour to Jerusalem. Still, adventurous musical pilgrims can find many treasures outside the big cities. Israeli musicians often hold smaller shows in small clubs and pubs all over the country. It is not rare to come across a small, acoustic performance by Shalom Chanoch, one of Israel’s top rock singers, in a small venue in the middle of nowhere in the north. This is possibly the best way to see a favorite performer for die-hard fans.
There are many travel options for music aficionados visiting Israel, and the best way depends on what priorities are set for the trip. It is possible to plan ahead and buy tickets to bigger concerts, such as tickets to the Israeli Philharmonic or the Israeli Opera, which schedules are advertised online, and it is possible to buy tickets online, as well. Many of the ticket agencies also advertise upcoming rock concerts online. Depending on the location of the selected performances, it is possible to book a room in one of the many Tel Aviv hotels, if most of the performances are held there, or to book a hotel in Jerusalem, if that is where most of the performances take place.
It’s also possible to buy advance tickets to one or two bigger concerts, and then play it by ear for the rest. There are plenty of ways to find shows once you arrive. If renting a car, it is possible to stay at any hotel in Israel, and travel to the musical performances you wish to go to. If staying for a longer period of time, and if planned carefully, there are many Bed & Breakfast type rooms all over the country, especially in the Galilee, which can provide a soothing change from music, but those truly passionate can find many musical performances even in the most remote locations in Israel.
Nearly without notice, Israel has evolved to be far more than a contention point between Jewish and Arab populations, to be more than a holy land to visit. Nowadays, the greatest pilgrimage in Israel is the Pilgrimage to Music. Perhaps more than any other country in the world, Israel has the most musical diversity and musical greatness per square kilometer.