A cultural touchstone takes centre-stage at Prague's National Theatre

By Frank Kuznik, 17 September 2018

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“a joyful but lightweight exercise in pride and pageantry”

Reviewed at National Theatre (Národní divadlo), Prague on 14 September 2018

Smetana, Libuše

Prague National Theatre Opera

Jaroslav Kyzlink, Conductor

Jan Chalupecky, Conductor

Jan Burian, Director

Daniel Dvořák, Set Designer

Kateřina Štefková, Costume Designer

Dana Burešová, Queen Libuše

Iveta Jiříková, Queen Libuše

Adam Plachetka, Přemysl

Svatopluk Sem, Přemysl

Miloš Horák, Chrudoš

František Zahradníček, Chrudoš

Aleš Briscein, Sťáhlav

Jaroslav Březina, Sťáhlav

Maria Kobielska, Krasava

Petra Šimková-Alvarez, Krasava

Peter Mikulás, Lutobor

Jiří Sulženko, Lutobor

Roman Janál, Radovan

Prague National Theatre Chorus

Kühn Choir of Prague

Prague National Theatre Orchestra

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.