Bieito's parched aesthetic strips the emotion from Kátya Kabanová

Kátya Kabanová

Alžběta Poláčková (Kátya)

Eva Urbanová (Kabanicha) and Jaroslav Březina (Tichon)

By Gianmarco Segato, 10 November 2022

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“soprano Alžběta Poláčková gave her all in the title role”

Reviewed at Janáček Theatre (Janáčkovo divadlo), Brno on 9 November 2022

Janáček, Kátya Kabanová

Prague National Theatre Opera

Jaroslav Kyzlink, Conductor

Calixto Bieito, Director

Aída Leonor Guardia, Set Designer

Eva Butzkies, Costume Designer

Michael Bauer, Lighting Designer

Prague National Theatre Orchestra

Prague National Theatre Chorus

Beno Blachut Jr, Dramaturgy

Alžběta Poláčková, Kátya

Magnus Vigilius, Boris

Eva Urbanová, Kabanicha

Jaroslav Březina, Tichon

Jiří Sulženko, Dikój

Martin Šrejma, Kudrjaš

Alena Kropáčková, Varvara

Jiří Hájek, Kuligin

Jana Horáková Levicová, Fekluša

Kateřina Jalovcová, Glaša

Prague State Opera

Jan Bubák, Choirmaster / chorus director

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Frank Kuznik, 23rd April

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

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

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Gianmarco Segato

Arts writer, administrator and singer Gianmarco Segato is Assistant Editor for La Scena Musicale. He was Associate Artist Manager for opera at Dean Artists Management and, from 2017-2022, Editorial Director of Opera Canada magazine. Previous to that he was Adult Programs Manager with the Canadian Opera Company. Gianmarco is an intrepid classical music traveler with a special love of Prague and Budapest as well as an avid cyclist and cook.

Bieito's parched aesthetic strips the emotion from Kátya Kabanová at Brno's Janáček Festival