Anchors askew in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 19 January 2018

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Reviewed at National Theatre (Národní divadlo), Prague on 18 January 2018

Britten, Billy Budd

Prague National Theatre Opera

Christopher Ward, Conductor

Daniel Špinar, Director

Lucia Škandíková, Set Designer

Marek Cpin, Costume Designer

Christopher Bolduc, Billy Budd

Štefan Margita, Captain Vere

Gidon Saks, John Claggart

Jan Petryka, Novice

Václav Sibera, Red Whiskers

Václav Cikánek, Squeak

Roman Vocel, Bosun

Richard Haan, Donald

Pavel Švingr, Lieutenant Ratcliffe

Martin Bárta, Mr Flint

Jiří Brückler, Mr Redburn

Prague State Opera Chorus

Prague State Opera Orchestra

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.