Chills and thrills from Pappano and the Czech Philharmonic

Ángeles Blancas Gulín and Sir Antonio Pappano

Víkingur Ólafsson

Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the Czech Philharmonic and Prague Philharmonic Choir

By Frank Kuznik, 28 November 2025

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“Ángeles Blancas Gulín made the strongest impression as a fierce, distraught mother of the prisoner”

Reviewed at Rudolfinum: Dvořák Hall, Prague on 27 November 2025

Dallapiccola, Il prigioniero (Czech premiere)

Beethoven, Piano Concerto no. 5 in E flat major "Emperor", Op.73

Sir Antonio Pappano, Conductor

Czech Philharmonic

Prague Philharmonic Choir

Brian Mulligan, Il prigioniero (The Prisoner)

Ángeles Blancas Gulín, La madre (The Mother)

Valentyn Dytiuk, Il carceriere (The Gaoler)/ Il grande Inquisitore (The Grand Inquisitor)

Simon Halsey, Choirmaster / chorus director

Víkingur Ólafsson, Piano

A witty hotel Don Giovanni opens Blackwater Valley Festival

Andrew Larkin, 27th May

Tom Creed’s witty production at Lismore Castle delivers strong singing, sharp comedy and lively orchestral playing, even if the opera’s darker supernatural edges are somewhat diminished.

****1

Werther revived at San Carlo: an anatomy of emotional isolation

Lorenzo Fiorito, 26th May

Willy Decker’s psychologically intense Werther returns to the Teatro di San Carlo with a deeply human interpretation by Francesco Demuro and refined conducting by Lorenzo Passerini.

*****

A birthday reimagining of Il viaggio a Reims in Salzburg

Laura Servidei, 25th May

In Barrie Kosky’s hyperactive staging, Il viaggio a Reims becomes a birthday tribute to Cecilia Bartoli complete with rewritten text, extravagant costumes, sexual escapades and a giant cake.

***11

A noble Norma trapped in a hollow dystopia

Andrew Larkin, 24th May

Salome Jicia delivers a vocally impressive and emotionally committed Norma, but Orpha Phelan’s post-apocalyptic staging fatally weakens Bellini’s sacred tragedy.

***11

Superb musical performances in Pinchgut’s Scarlatti rarity in Sydney

Sandra Bowdler, 23rd May

As usual, Pinchgut lavishes musical excellence on an obscure Baroque work... but why stage an oratorio?

****1

A deli-cious revival of Rossini’s Il turco in Italia at Glyndebourne

Dominic Lowe, 23rd May

Mariame Clément’s production of Rossini's meta comedy is tightly revived with some excellent singing. Come for the writing tips, stay for the cured meats.

****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.