Ball im Savoy: a spirited tribute to a forgotten composer in Prague

Doubravka Součková (Madeleine de Faublas)

Barbora Řeřichová (Daisy Parker) and Daniel Matoušek (Mustafah)

Jakub Svojanovský (Célestine), Daniel Matoušek, Jiří Hájek (Aristide) and Barbora Řeřichová (Daisy)

Jakub Svojanovský (Célestine) and Doubravka Součková (Madeleine de Faublas)

Doubravka Součková, Jakub Svojanovský, Linda Caridad Fernandez Saez (Tangolita) and Jiří Hájek

By Frank Kuznik, 19 September 2022

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“Bizet is just one in a blizzard of references and styles employed by Abraham”

Reviewed at State Opera (Státní opera), Prague on 16 September 2022

Abraham, Ball im Savoy

Prague National Theatre Opera

Jan Kučera, Conductor

Martin Čičvák, Director

Hans Hoffer, Set Designer

Georges Vafias, Costume Designer

Jan Dörner, Lighting Designer

Prague State Opera Orchestra

Prague State Opera Chorus

Jitka Slavíková, Dramaturgy

Vanda Šípová, Madeleine de Faublas

Doubravka Součková, Madeleine de Faublas

Csaba Kotlár, Marquis Aristide de Faublas

Jiří Hájek, Marquis Aristide de Faublas

Lucie Hájková, Daisy Parker

Barbora Řeřichová, Daisy Parker

Tomáš Kořínek, Mustafah Bey

Josef Moravec, Mustafah Bey

Daniel Matoušek, Mustafah Bey

Angela Nwagbo, Tangolita

Linda Fernandez, Tangolita

Vladimír Kratina, Archibald

Richard Haan, Archibald

Štěpán Piller, Pomerol

Petr Špinar, Pomerol

Filip Březina, Célestin Formant

Jakub Svojanovský, Célestin Formant

Viktor Javořík, Célestin Formant

Adolf Melichar, Choirmaster / chorus director

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.