Abraham Ellstein (1907-1963) Papers

Abraham Ellstein, songwriter, composer, conductor, and director of the American Yiddish theater, was born on the Lower East Side of New York City on July 7, 1907. He sang at his local synagogue as a chorister, and at the Metropolitan Opera Children's chorus. At age 18, he was awarded a scholarship to The Julliard School. He was a well-known accompaniest to numerous stars of the Yiddish theater, including Molly Picon, Dave Lubritsky, Dina Goldberg, Yossele Rosenblatt, and many more. He was the resident composer and music director at Ludwig Satz’s Folk Theater during the 1929-1930 season and the resident composer and director of the Public Theatre for the 1930–31 season. He composed over thirty scores for the Yiddish theater and film and more than 500 songs and was known as one of the “big four of Second Avenue,” along with Shalom Secunda, Joseph Rumshinsky, and Alexander Olshanetsky. In addition to composing music for Molly Picon's roles in Shmendrik and Oy iz dos a meydl (O, What a Girl!), two of his most famous film scores are for Mamele and Yidl Mitn Fidl, both starring Molly Picon, which were among the most successful Yiddish movies of all time.

Ellstein was also involved in Yiddish radio, hosting several regular programs on WEVD, including Yiddish folk music, theatrical music and cantorial and liturgical music. Additionally, he wrote and arranged English music for Broadway, radio, telelvision, popular music concerts, and films. His opera The Golem, based on the Jewish legend as well as on H. Leivick's work, was commissioned by the Ford Foundation and premiered at the New York City Opera in 1962. Ellstein died suddenly on March 22, 1963 in New York City.