Puccini prequel disappoints at the Prague National Theatre

Štefan Margita (Don Buoso)

Daniel Matoušek (Rinuccio) and Doubravka Součková (Lauretta)

Gianni Schicchi

Miguelangelo Cavalcanti (Spinelloccio) and Štefan Margita (Don Buoso)

Martin Šrejma (Gherardo), Jana Šrejma Kačírková, Svatopluk Sem (Gianni Schicchi), Jiří Hájek

By Frank Kuznik, 10 November 2023

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“the music often seems to be mocking the characters as much as accompanying them”

Reviewed at National Theatre (Národní divadlo), Prague on 9 November 2023

Kučera, Don Buoso

Puccini, Gianni Schicchi

Prague National Theatre Opera

Giancarlo Andretta, Conductor

Zbyněk Müller, Conductor

David Radok, Director, Set Designer

Zuzana Jezková, Costume Designer

Přemysl Janda, Lighting Designer

Prague National Theatre Orchestra

Ondřej Hučín, Dramaturgy

Štefan Margita, Don Buoso, Buoso Donati

Svatopluk Sem, Gianni Schicchi

Doubravka Součková, Lauretta

Jana Sýkorová, Zita

Daniel Matoušek, Rinuccio

Martin Šrejma, Gherardo

Jana Šrejma Kačírková, Nella

Zdeněk Plech, Betto di Signa

Jiří Sulženko, Simone

Jiří Hájek, Marco

Kateřina Hebelková, La Ciesca

Miguelangelo Cavalcanti, Spinelloccio, Maestro Spinelloccio

Martin Matoušek, Ser Amantio di Nicolao

Daniel Klánský, Pinellino

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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

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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

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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.

*****

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Frank Kuznik, 16th October

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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.