Filmed in the presence of Queen Sophia of Spain before a gathering of five thousand people on the hilltop fortress of Toledo, this magical open air concert featured Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Placido Domingo’s voice filled the night with the ancient Hebrew affirmation: "Shema Yisrael!" - Hear O Israel, the Lord Our God, the Lord is One.
Hailed as one of the most significant spiritual events of the decade, the pilgrimage to Toledo and Jerusalem offered a once in a lifetime experience. People from all parts of the world joined hands in an affirmation of humankind’s eternal hope for peace, tolerance, and acceptance.
The Western Wall in Jerusalem was the majestic setting for the closing ceremony, a dramatic musical production of Israeli composer Noam Sheriff "Mechayeh Hametim", which magnified the triumph of the Jewish spirit. The saying of "Kadish" and the powerful blowing of shofars solemnly brought the momentous experience of the Universal Spiritual gathering to a close.
Weeks before the event, two years in the making, the final funding did not come through. Lili Fournier personally guaranteed a 7 camera mobile unit. Two world events, including the Summer Olympics in Barcelona made equipment and crews a scarce commodity. She also had her own crew on its way overseas to film the event for her documentary. The Spanish Government came through at the final hour. The remarkable By My Spirit Televised Concert special produced for the Spanish Government’s 1992 Quincentennial celebrations, was enjoyed by millions across the European continent and in Israel in the days following the event.
Main Broadcasters: Spain, Israel & Europe.
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