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GLORIOUS LIBUŠE II

Financial Support

 

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Bedřich Smetana, the Prague Spring is organising a key event to mark the occasion, namely
a concert performance of the festival opera Libuše. The performance of the majestic fresco about the mythical princess, wife of Přemysl the Ploughman and prophetess, who foretold of the glory of Prague, will be undertaken by conductor Jakub Hrůša.
A meeting with conductor Jakub Hrůša will take place before the concert at 6.00 pm, Suk Hall, Rudolfinum.
Moderated by Josef Třeštík, Prague Spring Festival dramaturge.

Programme

  • Bedřich Smetana: Libuše (concert performance of the opera)

Performers

  • Czech Philharmonic
  • Prague Philharmonic Choir
  • Jakub Hrůša - conductor
  • Lukáš Vasilek - choirmaster
  • Kateřina Kněžíková - Libuše
  • Adam Plachetka - Přemysl of Stadice
  • Martin Bárta - Chrudoš of Otava
  • Richard Samek - Šťáhlav of Radbuza
  • Jan Šťáva - Lutobor of Dobroslavský Chlumec
  • Jiří Brückler - Radovan of Kamen Most
  • Alžběta Poláčková - Krasava
  • Václava Krejčí Housková - Radmila
  • Eva Esterková - First harvester
  • Tamara Morozová - Second harvester
  • Jarmila Vantuchová - Third harvester
  • Martin Šrejma - Fourth harvester
500 - 1400 CZK
30 5 2024
Thursday 19.00
Blossoming of Prague Spring

Before the concert at 6 pm, there will be a pre-concert talk (in Czech) with Jakub Hrůša

I consider it an honour to be able to take on this iconic work of the Czech operatic stage, the celebrated, mythical opera by Bedřich Smetana, Libuše. This is a symbolic work of Czech state-forming culture, reflecting the composer’s greatest ability, and this from the mature period of his career,” Hrůša informs us. The two gala concerts will feature an ensemble of top-flight soloists headed by Kateřina Kněžíková and Adam Plachetka, the Prague Philharmonic Choir and the Czech Philharmonic.

Jakub Hrůša has a very strong attachment both to Bedřich Smetana’s music and to the Prague Spring. He has appeared at the festival on twelve occasions and he has twice opened the event with Smetana’s Má vlast – first as Chief Conductor of the Prague Philharmonia in 2005, then also in 2019 heading the Bamberg Symphony, which he heads as Chief Conductor to this day. He is also Music Director Designate of London’s Royal Opera House in Covent Garden and he regularly conducts the world’s most prominent orchestras, including the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics. He holds the title of Principal Guest Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic as well as the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, with whom he will also be performing at this year’s Prague Spring.

Roma, Auditorium Parco della Musica 06 07 2021
Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
direttore
Jakub Hrůša -  Direttore Ospite Principale - Ritratti
©Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia / Musacchio, Ianniello & Pasqualini
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NB la presente foto puo' essere utilizzata esclusivamente per l'avvenimento in oggetto o per pubblicazioni riguardanti l'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
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Smetana’s Libuše was first staged at the ceremonial opening of the National Theatre and, since that time, it has been presented on special occasions. The performance at the Prague Spring will prove exceptional for the artists involved as well. “To be able to conduct this gem of Czech music, moreover, involving the Czech Philharmonic, with its fabulous sound and superb technical and human qualities, is simply one of my repertoire dreams,” Hrůša confides in anticipation of this festival concert. “I have loved and admired this work for many years, decades even, but I never had the chance to conduct it. At the Prague Spring I will be given this wonderful opportunity for the first time. I look forward immensely to this rare and exceptional work by Smetana.” Kateřina Kněžíková, who sings the title role, views this opportunity in a similar way: “It is my wish that Smetana’s music, in all its beauty, continues to enchant listeners all over the world. It is a great honour for me to be able to mark Smetana’s anniversary by assuming the role of Libuše. For me, this iconic character has always been the embodiment of goodness, clear-sightedness, nobility, beauty and justice.”

Kateřina Kněžíková Plachetková