Dido and Aeneas in Prague: wide-eyed wonderment

Markéta Cukrová (Dido), Lukáš Bařák (Aeneas)

Masque from The Indian Queen

Aco Bišćević (Sorceress)

Lukáš Bařák (Aeneas)

Ekaterina Krovateva (Belinda)

By David Karlin, 16 January 2026

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“the paradoxical feat of being faithful to Baroque traditions at the same time as being innovative”

Reviewed at Estates Theatre (Stavovské divadlo), Prague on 15 January 2026

Purcell, Dido and Aeneas

Prague National Theatre Opera

Michael Hofstetter, Conductor

Alice Nellis, Director, Lighting Designer

Matěj Cibulka, Set Designer, Lighting Designer

Kateřina Štefková, Costume Designer

Ivo Dankovič, Lighting Designer

Prague National Theatre Orchestra

Ondřej Hučín, Dramaturgy

Ekaterina Krovateva, Belinda

Markéta Cukrová, Dido

Lukáš Bařák, Aeneas

Lenka Pavlovič, 1st Enchantress

Magdaléna Hebousse, 2nd Woman

Marie Šimůnková, 2nd Enchantress, Sailor

Aco Bišćević, Sorceress

Klára Lidová, Choreography

Tomas Selc, Bass

Collegium Vocale 1704

Trojan’s Carousel: a magical night of dreams come true in Prague

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

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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David Karlin

David is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.

Dido and Aeneas in Prague: delicious music and wide-eyed wonderment