Israelis mourn much-loved orchestra chief
mainThe death from cancer of Bentzi Shira, head of the Israel Chamber Orchestra, has triggered a wave of grief.
More ideas man than manager, he was an formidable giver of opportunities to young musicians. Among other attainments, he founded the Israeli Arts TV Channel.
Bentzi was a real “Mentch”.
A wonderful manager and a good colleague.
Baruch Dayan Emet.
A wonderful and kind man, also very funny. A powerful force in music and a good friend to musicians and those in the music business. It should be noted that he was new to the Israel Chamber Orchestra – previously he served a very distinguished decade as head of the Israel Camerata.
Also, there was an amazing show of love at his funeral today – so many people that they spilled out of the prayer-hall. It might have been as many as a thousand, but certainly many hundreds.
I sent him a number of emails in November and he never responded – now I know why….. RIP