Israeli Opera marks Oct. 7 anniversary with ‘Gate of Mercy’ arrangement
Soloists and cellist perform haunting version of singer-songwriter Meir Banai’s 1992 classic
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
The Israeli Opera marked the anniversary of the Hamas terror onslaught of October 7, 2023, with a new arrangement of Israeli singer and songwriter Meir Banai’s classic song, “The Gate of Mercy.”
The arrangement, by composer David Sebba, was written for cello and three soloists — Daniela Skorka, Anat Czarny and Tom Cohen.
The song was composed by Banai in 1992. Its title refers to the Golden Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City, also known as the Gate of Mercy.
Banai, part of the extended family of musicians and entertainers, died in 2017 of cancer at 56.
With an acoustic guitar in his hands and harmonica clenched in his mouth, Banai had a major hit with “Gate of Mercy,” which dealt with his personal struggles rather than being of a religious nature, despite the lyrics referring to Jerusalem’s Old City.
The new Israeli Opera arrangement of Banai’s song joins two other Israeli Opera projects produced in light of the past year’s events — “Bring Him Home,” dedicated to the hostages, and “Somewhere.”
Walking in the old city
Noise from every corner
I know already
Know my way
On my way to
The Gate of Mercy.
I don’t look around
Don’t listen
A dreamer I am
As it always was
But I already know
Already know my way
The way to
The Gate of Mercy
