A grim and long-delayed première in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 15 December 2014

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Reviewed at National Theatre (Národní divadlo), Prague on 12 December 2014

Hába, Nová zeme (The New Land)

Prague National Theatre Opera

Petr Kofroň, Conductor

Miroslav Bambušek, Director

Jana Preková, Costume Designer, Set Designer

Pavol Remenár, Větrov

Lucie Hilscherová, Větrovova

Josef Moravec, Prochor

Luděk Vele, Rat-Lukánič

Jiří Brückler, Bankin

Marie Fajtová, Máša

Jaroslav Březina, Gríša

Veronika Hajnová, Nataša

Lenka Šmídová, Čučkina

Yvona Škvárová, Šiškova

Zdeněk Plech, Karpucha

Václav Lemberk, Man

Prague National Theatre Orchestra

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.

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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.

The New Land: A grim and long-delayed première in Prague