Roasting Mozart in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 08 April 2019

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“the jokes get old fast, and the lessons in music theory wear thin”

Reviewed at Estates Theatre (Stavovské divadlo), Prague on 4 April 2019

Nyman, Letters, Riddles and Writs

Stucky, The Classical Style: An Opera (of Sorts)

Prague National Theatre Opera

David Švec, Conductor

Alice Nellis, Director

Matěj Cibulka, Set Designer

Kateřina Štefková, Costume Designer

Prague National Theatre Orchestra

Alžběta Poláčková, Soprano

Michaela Zajmi, Mezzo-soprano

Pavel Švingr, Baritone

Ivo Hrachovec, Bass

Josef Moravec, Tenor

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

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.

Roasting Mozart in Prague: Nyman and Stucky tributes fall flat