A happy homecoming for a neglected Czech legend

Jiří Brückler (Schwanda)

Jiří Sulženko (The Devil)

Jana Šrejma Kačírková (Dorotka), Martin Bárta and Vít Šantora (Soldiers)

Jiří Brückler (Schwanda), Martin Šrejma (Babinský) and Jiří Sulženko (The Devil)

David Bosh

By Frank Kuznik, 10 October 2022

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“it’s like watching two different productions that have crashed into each other”

Reviewed at National Theatre (Národní divadlo), Prague on 6 October 2022

Weinberger, Schwanda the Bagpiper

Prague National Theatre Opera

Zbyněk Müller, Conductor

Vladimír Morávek, Director, Lighting Designer

Martin Chocholoušek, Set Designer

Zimula Sylva Hanáková, Costume Designer

Prague National Theatre Orchestra

Ondřej Hučín, Dramaturgy

Jiří Brückler, Švanda

Svatopluk Sem, Švanda

Alžběta Poláčková, Dorotka

Jana Šrejma Kačírková, Dorotka

Martin Šrejma, Babinský

Jaroslav Březina, Babinský

Ester Pavlů, Queen

Kateřina Jalovcová, Queen

Roman Janál, Magician, Second Forester

Martin Bárta, Magician, Second Forester

Jiří Sulženko, Devil

František Zahradníček, Devil

Ondřej Koplík, Familiar, Captain of the Devil's Guard

Aleš Voráček, Familiar, Captain of the Devil's Guard

Vladimír Doležal, Judge

Dušan Růžička, Judge

Vít Šantora, Executioner, First Forester

Václav Sibera, Executioner, First Forester

Lucie Mertová, Choreography

Jan Bubák, Choirmaster / chorus director

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

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

More reviews...

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.

A happy homecoming for a neglected Czech legend: Schwanda the Bagpiper in Prague