Die Maccabäer (German, The Maccabees) (sometimes spelt 'Die Makkabäer') is an opera in three acts by Anton Rubinstein to a libretto by Salomon Hermann Mosenthal. The opera is based on a play by Otto Ludwig, which is itself based loosely on the biblical story of the Maccabees. Written in 1872-74, it was first performed on 17 April 1875 at the Hofoper, Berlin. Censorship problems prevented its performance in Russia until January 1877 (in St.Petersburg).