In Prague, a sci-fi fantasy becomes real

By Frank Kuznik, 22 April 2017

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“Alžbĕta Poláčková as refined girlfriend Věra and the lustful, scheming Princess”

Reviewed at National Theatre (Národní divadlo), Prague on 20 April 2017

Kašlík, Krakatit

Prague National Theatre Opera

Petr Kofroň, Conductor

Alice Nellis, Director

Matěj Cibulka, Set Designer

Josef Moravec, Prokop

Lucie Hájková, Anči

Richard Haan, Dr Tomeš

Daniel Klánský, Tomeš

Václav Sibera, Carson

Alžběta Poláčková, Princess

Ivo Hrachovec, D’Hemon

Jitka Burgetová, Prostitute

Zdeněk Plech, Baron Rohn

Luděk Vele, Postman

Lenka Šmídová, Nurse

Lukáš Hynek-Krämer, Watchman

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

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

Cherubini’s Medea falls flat in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 22nd February

The challenges of Cherubini’s version of the Greek tragedy prove too much for the National Theatre to overcome.

**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.