A disappointing new Dvořák Armida at the Prague National Theatre

Patrik Čermák (Dervish)

Alžběta Poláčková (Armida)

Svatopluk Sem (Ismen)

Svatopluk Sem (Ismen) and František Zahradníček (Hydraot)

Aleš Briscein (Rinald) and Alžběta Poláčková (Armida)

By Frank Kuznik, 21 May 2023

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“the stiff presentation and obsession with style keep the story entirely on the surface”

Reviewed at National Theatre (Národní divadlo), Prague on 19 May 2023

Dvořák, Armida

Prague National Theatre Opera

Robert Jindra, Conductor

Jiří Heřman, Director

Dragan Stojčevski, Set Designer

Zuzana Štefunková-Rusínová, Costume Designer

Prague National Theatre Orchestra

Prague National Theatre Chorus

Beno Blachut, Dramaturgy

František Zahradníček, King Hydraot of Damascus

Alžběta Poláčková, Armida

Aleš Briscein, Rinald

Svatopluk Sem, Ismen

Štefan Kocán, Petr

Martin Bárta, Bohumir

Václav Sibera, Roger

Martin Šrejma, Sven

Miloš Horák, Gernand

Jan Šťáva, Ubald

Doubravka Součková, Siren

Prague State Opera

Pavel Vaněk, Choirmaster / chorus director

Trojan’s Carousel: a magical night of dreams come true in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 23rd April

A vintage opera at the National Theatre offers charming adventures for children and musical sophistication for adults.

*****

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

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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.