GLORIOUS LIBUŠE
Financial Support
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
“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 2010, then nine years later 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.
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.”
