Events Reviews Articles Video

An inspirational opener at Prague Spring

By Frank Kuznik, 14 May 2021

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“if butterflies had flitted from the stage... it would have been no surprise”

Reviewed at Municipal House: Smetana Hall, Prague on 12 May 2021

Smetana, Má vlast (My Fatherland)

Collegium 1704

Václav Luks, Conductor

In Prague, a sparkling season opener from Collegium 1704

Frank Kuznik, 9th October

Václav Luks launches a celebration of his ensemble's 20th anniversary with a seductive secular treatment of sacred music.

*****

Collegium 1704 opens with a swan song

Frank Kuznik, 11th October

Václav Luks and his band of Baroque devotees offer a fresh take on late-period Mozart in Prague.

****1

Collegium 1704 give Zelenka a virtual return in Dresden

Frank Kuznik, 14th June

Collegium 1704 takes the Czech Baroque composer online, with impressive results.

****1

Rediscovering a Vivaldi gem: Arsilda in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 12th November

Even without the costumes and choreography, Collegium 1704's presentation of Arsilda was enthralling.

*****

Sara Mingardo leads a strong cast in Hamburg Ulisse

Laura Servidei, 4th November

Willy Decker's production, presented in Zürich in 2014, is revived at the Hamburgische Staatsoper with most of the same cast

****1

Anna Bonitatibus in regal form as Semiramide

Travis Mason, 5th October

An exhilarating evening of rarities and novelty from Anna Bonitatibus.

****1

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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.