Michael Gluz
General director of the Festival,
President of Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia,
People's artist of Russia,
composer


      Michael Gluz graduated from a musical high school n.a. Ippolitov-Ivanov, then Russian Music Academy n.a. Gnesins, composition class. His teacher was an outstanding pedagogue, professor Henry Litinsky. The beginning of his professional activity concurred with the opening of a Chamber Jewish Musical theatre, and in 1977 he had become one of its founders. There was a goal in front of a young general conductor, and since 1984 - artistic director of the theatre - re-creation of the Jewish musical-theatrical culture. And he beneficially coped with it. The theatre successfully toured on the best theatre stages of the USA, Australia, Canada, Italy, Israel, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, SAR and other countries. Michael Gluz is the author of musicals "Tango of Life", "Prince and Pauper", ballets "A Dream With Continuation", "The Last Role" and many others. One of the most well-known works of the composer is a music for a play "Funeral Prayer". M. Gluz is the author of music for films "Hit the Dutchman" (USA), "We Are Going To America" (Lenfilm), "The Last Saturday" (Mosfilm), etc. Michael Gluz combines successful creative work (he is a director of a show-theatre "Tum-balalaika") with a wide public activity. He is a General director of Solomon Mikhoels' Cultural Center and a chief of Charity Foundation for Jewish Culture "Hatikva". In November 1999 Michael Gluz was elected as a President of Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia.