The Denver Jewish news., 1920-01-28
Mogulesko, a Pioneer of
the Yiddish Theatre
SUCCESSFUL CAREER OF a YER
SATII.E AND GIFTED ARTIST.
Ey his Son, DR. J. l.. MORTIMER
Denver.
written for the Jewish News.)

One of the most picturesque as well as
Sdaa ssge %as s5sTi He
OF the pioneers of the Yiddish
theatre In this country, and influenced It's
development to n very great extent The
Jewish News is pleased to be able to pub
lish authentic story of the life Of this
idol Of the fiddish theatre, written by his
son. who In devotedly attached to his
fathers memory and proud of his achieve
ments.-The Editor.
Sigmund Mogulesko was left an or
pian at the age of eight in small
town in Russia. His fathers death
followed his mothers by "A few
months. He was II choir singer under
Cantor Heller. with whom he lived
after the death of his parents. At the
age Of eleven he joined another Cantor.
kupfer. with whom he left for Rou-
mania.
As he grew older. he also became
choir singer in church. and sang in
the chorus of the ROumanian court
theatre, occasionally playing small
parts, at the same time studying in
the conservatory of music. His un-
usual musical ability matte him elig-
-bit WHNh 81
free tuition in music in Italy But
his refusal 10 be baptized lost him
this prize. He continued at the con-
scrvatory and his church and theatre
positions. He thereupon decided to
save the money he earned as o choir
singer at the synagog. so that he could
continue his musical studies in Italy.
Goldfaden established the Jewish
theatre in Roumania about 1876. This
was n very crude affair. The company
had no actresses women did not have
the courage to join. Goldfaden re-
cruited his company mainly from the
choir singers in synagogs. For some
time he began to feel a growing dis
satisfaction. What he wanted was
good comedian. In his search for one.
he came upon a fellow ch,ir singer Of
Mogulesko, who praised the unusual
gift of mimiery possessed by this
| yu1ng Sigmandat He brought Gold
fnden and MoguleskO together. So i'm
| pressed was Goldfaden tnat he urged
The boy to join his company. He had
II trial performance, which won him
the praise and enthusiasm of both the
company and the audience also heat
ing from his cantor. who decidedly
disapproved of so unseemly n profess
s'on His cantor was as fond of him
ns If he were his own son, and would
not consider a theatrica career for
him.
Young Mogulesko. however. saw
chance to earn more money. which
meant his musical studies in Italy
would be nearer civilization. He,
therefore, joined the company. His
success was phenomenal. After three
months his name became well known
in almost every Jewish home in that
part of the country.
In two years he saved sufficient
money to carry out his wish to go to
Italy. BY that time the company had
grown considerably. Women began to
join the organization. and it became
more like the usual theatre. When
he sprang his project upon the COM
rany. it created general CONSERVATION.
They felt that they could not let him
20. His loss would break up what
was then successful undertaking.
While the company was in this dilem- +
ma, an event occurred iii the young
mans life which helped to change his
resolution. He met II very beautiful
girl, and was not happy till he mar
ried her. His marriage also helped to
wed him to the Jewish theatre for life
When he was about twenty -one years
old the company, which had grown
very large. divided its forces. One
company under GOldfaden went to
establish theatre in Odessa. RUSSIA
the other company. under Mosulesko.
remained in Roumania.
Business was not very good in Rou-
mania at that time, and the theatre
felt it. Mogulesko decided that Ee
too would--try his luck in Russia. The
company tried to dissuade him from
attempting what they considered II
very daring undertaking. But, in spite
of their pessimism. he went to Odessa
He came to Goldfaden and asked for
his cooperation. When that was de-
nied lie opened Il theatre in opposition
to Goldfaden. After u short while.
Goldfaden decided that cooperation
was more desirable, and they Joined
forces. Part of the company gave per-
formanccs in the provinces. while the
other remained permanently in Odessa
The career of the Jewish theatre is
Odessa ended abruptly about 1885,
when the government withdrew it's