Simon-David Duque

Simon-David Duque was one of the last two ḥazzanim of the Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam, Holland. Born in Amsterdam, Duque was appointed ḥazzan in 1923. He was chosen from among three candidates because of his adherence to the Amsterdam tradition. He also aimed at an operatic style and had a beautiful voice. Among his many moving ḥazzanut features are his Kedushah for Sabbath Musaf and Ve-Hu Raḥum for the evening service. His falsetto was famous. He was deported by the Nazi occupiers of Holland and died at the Dachau concentration camp.

Source: Amnon Shiloah, Encyclopaedia Judaica (2nd ed.)

(*The picture is taken from joodsmonument website: The picture is from the Collection Jewish Historical Museum)



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