Prague State Opera’s New Season to Open with Verdi Festival
Jul 27, 2010
The Prague State Opera is entering into the new season on Thursday, August 19, 2010, with the traditional Italian opera series. During this year’s already eighteenth edition of the event, audiences are invited to a programme consisting of Verdi’s Aida, Nabucco, Rigoletto, Otello, and La traviata, featuring a roster of Prague State Opera soloists and guests Maida Hundeling (August 19 and 27, as Aida), Gianluca Zampieri (August 19, as Radames), Sergey Tolstov (August 21 and 26, as Nabucco), Yordanka Derilova (August 21 and 26, as Abigail), Wonsin Lee (August 22, as Violetta), Efe Kislali (August 25 and 29 as Otello, and August 27 as Radames), Renata Lamanda (August 27, as Amneris), and Csilla Boros (August 28, as Violetta). The Prague State Opera orchestra will be conducted by Roberto Paternostro (August 19 and 27), Heiko Mathias Förster (August 20, 22, 25, 28 and 29), and Hilary Griffiths (August 21, 24 and 26).
Since 1993, the Prague State Opera has opened its seasons with Italian opera series (originally billed as the Verdi Festival). This special event has linked up with the tradition established by the New German Theatre, whose then director, Angelo Neumann, launched 110 years ago, in 1899, Maifestspiele, a series which became soon widely popular. With few exceptions, Verdi opera cycles were then held every year, featuring as their protagonists some of opera’s brightest stars of the time.
Korean Opera Festival with soloists and guests of the Prague State Opera
Jul 20, 2010
From June 27 to July 8, 2010 the 1st Korean Opera Festival was held in Seoul Arts Centre. The soloist and the guests of the Prague State Opera – conductor Jiří Mikula, Galia Ibragimova, Sylva Čmugrová, Klára Džuganová, Rafael Alvarez, Svatopluk Sem, Jiří Hruška and Václav Sibera – performed in the production of Bizet’s Carmen together with Korean soloists, orchestra, dancers and an excellent children’s choir. The choreographer and dancer Petr Jirsa and the guarantor of the event Milena Vraná from the international relations department of the Prague State Opera also participated in this tour.
All the soloists, and in particular Galia Ibragimova singing Carmen, received standing ovations from the local audience and the recognition of the ambassador of the Czech Republic to Korea H. E. Jaroslav Olša jr. who also attended the performance and emphasised the importance of the cultural co-operation between both countries.
The tour was organised at the invitation of Ms Wha-ja Kang, the president of Beseto Opera, who signed an agreement on co-operation between the two opera houses on the occasion of the guest performance of the Korean soloists in the production of Carmen at the Prague State Opera in 2004. This has been the fourth visit of the Prague State Opera soloists to Korea. In 2005 they performed in the Korean production of Mozart’s Magic Flute, in May 2006 and August 2007 in Bizet’s Carmen together with the Korean choir and soloists.
As part of the 20th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Korea and the Czech Republic, Korean soloists will perform in the production of Carmen at the Prague State Opera in October 2010.
Audition
Jul 20, 2010
The Prague State Opera announces a new date of audition which takes place on August 25 (time will be specified later). In case you are interested to audition, please, send your CV + photo + CD or DVD recording to the following address: Prague State Opera, Mr. Radim Dolansky, Legerova 75, 110 00 Praha 1, or by e-mail dolansky@opera.cz
The audition will be confirmed to you within next few days.
The Prague State Opera has a new director
Jul 1, 2010
On Thursday July 1, 2010 the Oliver Dohnányi was inaugurated as the new director of the Prague State Opera.
Oliver Dohnányi studied conducting with Václav Neumann at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. He was the conductor of the Radio Symphony Orchestra in Bratislava, the principal conductor of the Slovak National Theatre Opera Orchestra and the conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. Between 1993 and 1996 and in 2004-2007 period he was engaged as the principal conductor of the National Theatre Opera Orchestra in Prague. Recently he also served as the head of opera of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in Ostrava and the director of opera of the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava. He has been a guest conductor with the outstanding opera houses (Buenos Aires, Zurich, Copenhagen, Vienna, Amsterdam, Basel, Düsseldorf, Naples, London, Leeds etc). In the period from 2001 to 2004 he was the permanent guest conductor with the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. He conducted prominent orchestras from all over the world, such as Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra (Tokyo), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hungarian State Philharmonic Orchestra, the Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, London Mozart Players and the BBC Orchestra.
Filip Veverka nods to State Opera Ballet engagement
Jun 1, 2010
The 2010/2011 season will yet witness the Prague State Opera ballet’s augmentation by several outstanding new members coming from this country and abroad. The corps de ballet will welcome in its ranks young artists from France, the United States and Japan. Most importantly, the company’s forces will also receive a boost in the persons of several major solo dancers whose complete roster will be made public immediately after the summer holidays. At this point we are already in a position to announce that the ensemble will benefit by the arrival of Filip Veverka, an eminent Czech dancer and the winner of the prestigious Thalia Award for 2004. He has built up his career on an impressive body of experience from work at the Prague National Theatre, Tulsa Ballet company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf, and most recently, the Royal Swedish Ballet. Prague State Opera audiences had previous chances of seeing this elegant soloist, equally assured in displays of the classical and modern dancing techniques, during his guest appearance in our production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, and while witnessing his brilliant account of the role of the Stranger on the first night of the ballet The Sleeping Beauty – the Czar’s Last Daughter.
New production of Tristan and Isolde captivates first-night audience
May 24, 2010
A new production of Richard Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde was opened at the Prague State Opera on May 20, 2010, attracting interest from the audiences and the media. A milestone in opera history, often called a drama of the human heart, Tristan was last staged in what was then the New German Theatre and now the Prague State Opera in 1934. Returning to our opera house after 76 years, Wagner’s opera was musically prepared by renowned British conductor Jan Latham-Koenig, staged by an international production team (director Marcelo Lombardero, stage designer Diego Siliano, costume designer Luciana Gutman), with an international cast starring Marion Ammann (Isolde), Leonid Zakhozhaev (Tristan), Amber Wagner (Brangäne), Tomasz Konieczny (Kurwenal), Richard Wiegold (King Marke). The first-night audience gave a huge ovation to the conductor and the Prague State Opera orchestra, spontaneously applauding the singers in the lead roles as well as Amber Wagner, a young American soprano singing Brangäne.
Earlier on the opening day of Tristan and Isolde, a bust in memory of Richard Wagner was unveiled in the dress-circle foyer of the PSO historic building in what is a joint initiative of the Prague State Opera and the Richard Wagner Society, funded equally by both institutions and related to the 2012 Wagner Congress to be held in Prague, with the Prague State Opera acting as one of the major hosts. The bust was created by Václav Krčál, a young artist who became the undisputed winner of the bid.
An all-star cast for Wagner’s Isolde
May 17, 2010
On Thursday, May 20, 2010, the Prague State Opera will open a new production of Richard Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde. Isolde will be sung by Marion Ammann, a renowned Wagnerian artist. World-renowned soprano Elizabeth Connell will take over Isolde for two nights (May 27, and June 1). The second premiere (May 23) will see the Prague State Opera debut of French soprano Catherine Hunold, also scheduled to sing in this year’s last performance (June 17).
For me, Isolde – and perhaps Tosca – is the most exciting role I have sung. It is always a great challenge for me. I really look forward to the moment I can sing Isolde in this beautiful opera house in beautiful Prague! Marion Ammann
Tristan and Isolde brings me a deep feeling of perfect physical and mental satisfaction. As Isolde I always die a happy woman! I am looking forward to coming back to Prague. I sang Lady Macbeth and performed several concerts of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony here years ago. When I studied in London in the 1970s, I was taught by Czech baritone Otakar Kraus, and my debut role in 1972 was Janáček’s Varvara. So I do have a special attachment to the Czech Republic. Elizabeth Connell
To me, studying this new character means plunging fully into Wagner’s score which accompanies me twenty-four hours a day. Everything is there! Isolde is a fascinating role, I am now at the beginning of never-ending work, and my task is mainly to create room for the character in which she can develop. Catherine Hunold
A New Production in the Making: Don Quichotte
Feb 15, 2010
Preparations are in full swing for an exceptional operatic event: the first night, on March 18, 2010, of a new production of Jules Massenet’s Don Quichotte. It is being staged by Jiří Nekvasil, for whom the occasion marks a comeback to the State Opera after eight years. Alternating in the title role will be Rubén Amoretti, a bass of Italian-Spanish extraction, and Serbian bass Ivan Tomašev; Sancho Panza will be performed by Mexican baritone Noé Colín, alternating with Jakub Kettner; and the two ladies cast as Dulcinée are Galia Ibragimova and Andrea Kalivodová. The staging is conducted by Heiko Mathias Förster of Germany, who made a successful debut at the Prague State Opera with the revived premiere of Verdi’s Otello in May 2009. The coming premiere is dedicated to the memory of an outstanding Czech interpreter of Don Quichotte, the bass Eduard Haken, the centenary of whose birth will be marked this coming March. He created the part in the last previous production of the Massenet opera in Prague, on the stage of the then Smetana Theatre (today’s Prague State Opera), between the years 1965 and 1967. Rehearsal photos: Luděk Novák.
Sleeping Beauty a Major Challenge for Andrea Kramešová
Jan 12, 2010
One hundred and twenty years after its first performance, on January 23, 2010, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Sleeping Beauty will reach the stage of the Prague State Opera, in the premiere of a new production choreographed by Youri Vàmos, subtitled eloquently The Czar’s Last Daughter. The leading role of Anastasia will be created by the company’s guest, Andrea Kramešová (alternating with State Opera soloist Rebecca King). Andrea Kramešová, who formerly worked with the National Theatre in Prague, Tulsa Ballet in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, is currently engaged with the Swedish Royal Ballet. Commenting on her new role in Prague, she said:
“The Sleeping Beauty has been with me ever since my school days, when I did it as my degree performance. I do like Petipa’s classic version, but I’ve found Youri Vàmos’ original adaptation even closer to my heart. I am fascinated by the story of the royal Romanov family, as well as by the choreographer’s approach to his staging. In terms of dancing technique, the character of Anastasia is on a par with, say, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, but what I believe is an even tougher nut to crack there is one’s having to convey some truly complex emotions in such a manner as to bring across to the audience the production’s message on all its planes of meaning. To me, this is a major challenge, and one I’m ever so keen to take up.”
Sleeping Beauty Makes Stage Entrance
Dec 15, 2009
Preparations for the first night of the ballet, The Sleeping Beauty – the Czar’s Last Daughter, have made another important step forward. Rehearsals progressing under the supervision of the choreographer Youri Vámos and his assistants, Joyce Cuoco and Alexey Afanassiev (who will also dance the principal male part), have now been moved from ballet studios to the stage. The production poses great demands both on the artists cast for the many solo roles, and on the work of the corps de ballet. The Prague State Opera orchestra is conducted by Pavel Šnajdr. The premiere takes place on January 23, 2010.
Preparations underway for Sleeping beauty premiere
Nov 20, 2009
Preparations are already progressing at full speed for an exceptional ballet event: the first night of Youri Vamos’ staging of The Sleeping Beauty – The Czar’s Last Daughter. This highly individual adaptation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s famous fairy-tale ballet will be first performed on the stage of the Prague State Opera in a gala opening, on January 23, 2010. As shown in the first series of photos related to the production, the demanding process of rehearsals, in the presence of the choreographer and his assistants, has in these days fully absorbed the company’s entire ballet ensemble.
Prague State Opera Ensemble Triumphs in Japan
Nov 19, 2009
The Prague State Opera ensemble recently returned to its home turf from an exceptionally successful Japanese tour. This autumn marked already the ninth visit paid by the State Opera to Japan, this time out bringing a new production of Verdi’s Aida, staged by Massimo Gasparón. In the course of the four-week tour, from October 19 through November 15, 2009, the PSO visitors made eighteen appearances in fifteen cities (Tokyo, Fuchu, Omiya, Yokosuka, Musashino, Toyama, Ina, Sasebo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Mito, Obihiro, Sapporo, and Nerima). All of the tour venues, including halls seating 2 700, were hopelessly sold out, including Tokyo’s famed Bunka Kaikan, where the Prague State Opera has appeared four times during this year alone.
The performances were conducted by Giorgio Croci, plus a special guest of the organizing agency, Konzerthaus Japan, the acclaimed Japanese woman conductor, Tomomi Nishimoto. Alternating in the title role were Anda-Louise Bogza and Jitka Svobodová, the rest of the cast included Efe Kişlali and Gianluca Zampieri (Radames); Galia Ibragimova, Daniela Diakova and Jolana Forgašová (Amneris); Miguelangelo Cavalcanti and Jakub Kettner (Amonasro); Oleg Korotkov and Miloš Horák (Ramphis); Lukáš Hynek-Krämer (King); Dagmar Vaňkátová and Lubomíra Popova-Alabozova (Priestess); and Jiří Hruška (Messenger). Several showings featured, as guests of the Japanese agency, sopranos Michèle Crider and Dimitra Theodossiou (in the title part), and tenor Mario Malagnini (Radames).
The Japanese audiences, forthcoming and receptive, rewarded the Prague State Opera ensemble by copious attendance of all its performances. The atmosphere in Japan’s huge concert halls was fascinating, with bursts of applause for the soloists in the course of each night. Many of the visitors have already been Prague State Opera fans for many seasons, invariably looking forward to its visits, and more than a few of them not hesitating to travel along with the company to repeat their experience away from their home cities.
Audition to the Prague State Opera Ballet Ensemble
Nov 16, 2009
The Prague State Opera Ballet Ensemble is holding an audition to complete vacant posts in its ensemble on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. The address: Legerova 75, 110 00 Praha 1, 1st floor, the operation (glass) building of the Prague State Opera – entrance for employees, dance hall no. 1. Connection: Metro line A / C – Muzeum station.
More detailed information is available from Pavel Ďumbala, Art Director of the Prague State Opera Ballet Ensemble.
Prague State Opera Christmas Fairy-Tale
Oct 28, 2009
The Prague State Opera has in stock for you a family Christmas season packed with fairy-tale spectacles where good invariably triumphs over evil, a programme that’s sure to bring delight to grownup and junior audiences alike.
You may therefore look forward to our versions of the immortal story of the kind and unselfish Cinderella who eventually finds and gets her prince charming, or the one about the Princess Odette turned to a swan by the evil Redbeard, in a classic account of the ballet, Swan Lake. Opera-lovers are invited to come and see the enchanting story of love conquering all trials and tribulations with the aid of The Magic Flute.
The offer comprises the following roster of performances:
La Dame aux camélias is back
Oct 20, 2009
The story of the Parisian courtesan’s ill-starred love conveyed by the romantic novel of Alexandre Dumas, fils, entered the history of music in the operatic treatment of Giuseppe Verdi. Apart from it, though, there exist a good many ballet versions of the famed literary work. The Prague State Opera currently presents a spectacular ballet production of La Dame aux camélias, choreographed by Libor Vaculík. A musical collage of various sequences from Verdi’s opera score, it was arranged by Sergey Onsoff. The production premiered in the autumn of 2003, since when it has been applauded by audiences on the company’s home turf as well as during its many tours in this country and abroad. Now La Dame aux camélias is being reintroduced to the PSO stage after a fairly long pause, for a single performance taking place on November 23, 2009. This will be followed by a series of four showings in the northern Italian cities of Trieste, Trento, and Modena, on a tour scheduled for late November and early December 2009.
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