One of the most moving works in the cello repertoire nearly vanished under Nazi rule. In this TWoA essay, Christina Ezrahi traces the extraordinary history of Max Bruch’s Kol Nidrei, a composition rooted in Jewish liturgy that was later banned by the Nazis who falsely believed its composer to be Jewish. A reflection on music, memory, and survival in the shadow of persecution.

In moments of loss, music can become an act of remembrance and resistance. Editor Christina Ezrahi turns to the songs of Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaii’s last sovereign ruler, whose compositions preserved language, identity, and hope in the face of colonisation and exile. Written in freedom and in imprisonment, her music continues to resonate as a testament to cultural resilience and dignity.

A century after her birth, Maria Callas still defines the word “diva.” A TWoA portrait of the voice, discipline, and vulnerability behind opera’s most enduring legend. Beyond the jewels and scandals, this is the story of an artist who changed how opera feels, sounds, and is remembered.