Classical heroines in distress: reviewer in heaven

By Frank Kuznik, 03 June 2014

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Reviewed at Rudolfinum: Dvořák Hall, Prague on 31 May 2014

Haydn, Orfeo ed Euridice, or The Soul of the Philosopher

Haydn, Berenice, che fai, Hob XXIVa:10, cantata for soprano & orchestra

Kozeluch, Symphony in G minor

Mozart, Idomeneo, re di Creta (Idol mio)

Mysliveček, Demetrio (Recitative and aria)

Mozart, Recitative and Aria for Soprano, "Misera, dove son!", K369

Mozart, Idomeneo, re di Creta: Ballet music, K367

Cherubini, Médée/Medea (Dei tuoi figli la madre)

Mozart, Idomeneo, re di Creta, K366: Quanti mi siete intorno...Padre, germani, addio!

Mozart, Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K384: Martern aller Arten

Simona Šaturová, Soprano

Collegium 1704

Václav Luks, Conductor

In Prague, a sparkling season opener from Collegium 1704

Frank Kuznik, 9th October

Václav Luks launches a celebration of his ensemble's 20th anniversary with a seductive secular treatment of sacred music.

*****

Collegium 1704 opens with a swan song

Frank Kuznik, 11th October

Václav Luks and his band of Baroque devotees offer a fresh take on late-period Mozart in Prague.

****1

Collegium 1704 give Zelenka a virtual return in Dresden

Frank Kuznik, 14th June

Collegium 1704 takes the Czech Baroque composer online, with impressive results.

****1

An inspirational opener at Prague Spring

Frank Kuznik, 12th May

In keeping with the festival's tradition of persevering through adversity, organizers turned a pandemic-imposed restriction to their advantage.

*****

Rediscovering a Vivaldi gem: Arsilda in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 12th November

Even without the costumes and choreography, Collegium 1704's presentation of Arsilda was enthralling.

*****

Sara Mingardo leads a strong cast in Hamburg Ulisse

Laura Servidei, 4th November

Willy Decker's production, presented in Zürich in 2014, is revived at the Hamburgische Staatsoper with most of the same cast

****1

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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.