A velvety revolution in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 08 May 2016

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“Janál ran away with the role... thoroughly dominating both the singing and acting”

Reviewed at National Theatre (Národní divadlo), Prague on 5 May 2016

Giordano, Andrea Chénier

Prague National Theatre Opera

Petr Kofroň, Conductor

Michal Dočekal, Director

Martin Chocholoušek, Set Designer

Kateřina Štefková, Costume Designer

Hector Sandoval, Andrea Chénier

Roman Janál, Carlo Gérard

Petra Šimková-Alvarez, Maddalena de Coigny

Simona Procházková, La comtesse de Coigny

Eliška Weissová, Madelon

Michaela Kapustová, Bersi

Václav Lemberk, L'Incredible, The Abbé

Luděk Vele, Fouquier-Tinville

Pavel Katsiushyn, Mathieu

Jakub Tolaš, Roucher

Aleš Hendrych, Pietro Fléville

Parsifal reconsidered: A provocative improvisation in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 26th March

Timo Riihonen and Ester Pavlů stand out in a strong cast which carries Andreas Homoki's revised version of Wagner's final opera.

****1

Musically excellent Bartered Bride in Prague marred by meta production

Dominic Lowe, 4th March

Smetana in Prague is never likely to be less than a delight, and the National Theatre assembles a fine cast for a revival of Alice Nellis' production of his greatest opera.

****1

In Prague, a high-minded new Rheingold never gets off the ground

Frank Kuznik, 12th February

Sláva Daubnerová's contemporary treatment of the Ring opener at the Prague National Theatre is socially ambitious but artistically disappointing.

***11

Dido and Aeneas in Prague: wide-eyed wonderment

David Karlin, 15th January

Alice Nellis' staging of Purcell's masterpiece is both historically faithful and innovatively modern. With Collegium 1704 providing the early music chops, it's a rare treat.

*****

Revival of Ostrčil’s The Legend of Erin misses the mark in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 16th October

An ambitious effort to honor hometown hero Otakar Ostrčil sags under its own weight at the Prague National Theatre.

***11

A bleak Jenůfa from Calixto Bieito

Frank Kuznik, 22nd May

The director drains the life out of an impassioned opera with a staging devoid of authenticity and ideas.

**111

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Frank Kuznik

Frank Kuznik is the former Editor-in-Chief and Culture Editor of The Prague Post, Central Europe’s premier English-language weekly newspaper. He currently divides his time between Prague and his hometown in the US, Cleveland, where he covers northeast Ohio's dynamic classical music scene. In Prague he is an habitué of the Rudolfinum, National Theater, State Opera and other storied classical music venues, and an unabashed fan of Czech music.

Andrea Chénier: A velvety revolution in Prague