Casting Trump as a 21st-century Brechtian villain

Donatienne Michel-Dansac (Donald Trump)

By Kurt Gottschalk, 03 September 2023

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“the sardonic edge was done by implication”

Reviewed at Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Ostrava on 1 September 2023

Lang, Bernhard, Playing Trump

Johannes Kalitzke, Conductor

Jiří Nekvasil, Director

David Bazika, Set Designer

Ostravská banda

Donatienne Michel-Dansac, Voice

An all-star Jenůfa falls short in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 16th September

Superb singing and brilliant work in the pit can't quite rescue Jiří Nekvasil's overambitious production.

****1

The Devil’s Wall: Smetana’s last opera, at his birthplace

David Karlin, 15th June

Glorious music and excellent singing can't mask a simplistic staging of Smetana's last opera, an uneasy combination of rom-com and medieval legend.

***11

Don Giovanni: Plácido Domingo fulfills a dream in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 27th October

The King of Opera leads an inspired performance commemorating the 230th anniversary of Don Giovanni.

*****

Red Moon Rising: Orff in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 20th October

In a delirious opening to the new opera season, Prague's National Theatre puts a contemporary spin on Carl Orff and the Brothers Grimm.

***11

NODO winds down with phenomenal Oresteia

Rebecca Lentjes, 30th June

Despite the fact that few (if any) in the audience could understand ancient Greek, the emotions of the characters, and particularly the desperation of Mr Falk's Kassandra, came through with astonishing intensity.

****1

Martinu's dazzling, overlooked Mirandolina in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 7th January

This gem from Martinů received a bright, spirited performance at the Estates Theatre in Prague – putting an early gleam on what should be an interesting year celebrating Czech music.

****1

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Kurt Gottschalk

Kurt Gottschalk is a journalist and author based in New York City. His writings on contemporary and classical music, jazz and improvisation have been published in outlets throughout Europe and America and he has two volumes of short fiction to his name. He produced and hosted the Miniature Minotaurs radio programme on WFMU and currently hosts Afternoon New Music on WKCR.