Altenburg: The Bartered Bride

27 May 2018, Großes Haus, Altenburg, Germany Bedřich Smetana: The Bartered Bride (premiere) Theater und Philharmonie Thüringen Directed by: Kay Kuntze, music director: Takahiro Nagasaki Cast: Anne Preuß (Mařenka), János Ocsovai (Jeník), Ulrich Burdack (Kecal), Timo Rößner (Vašek), Alejandro Lárraga Schleske (Krušina) and others Language: German Following performances: 31 May and 17 June 2018

Czech music as the main theme of this year’s Leamington Music Festival Weekend

4 – 7 May 2018, Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade, Leamington Spa, UK Leamington Music Festival Weekend Seven concerts of music by Antonín Rejcha, Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák, Leoš Janáček, Josef Suk, Bohuslav Martinů, Ervín Schulhoff, Klement Slavický and Luboš Fišer Ensemble 360, Pražák String Quartet, Guarneri Trio, Ivan Klánský, Jana Vonášková-Nováková, Martin Kasík, Nicholas Wearne

Essen: The Bartered Bride

On October 14, Aalto-Musiktheater opera in Essen, Germany, premiered a new production of Bedřich Smetana’s The Bartered Bride in which numerous Czech artists were involved. Apart from conductor Tomáš Netopil, who currently works as the general music director of the theatre, tenor Richard Samek starring as Jeník, scenographer Martin Chocholoušek and costume designer Simona Rybáková it was also … Read more

Erfurt: The Bartered Bride

On 17th December, Theater Erfurt (Thuringia, Germany) presented a new production of Bedřich Smetana’s Bartered Bride. It was conducted by the theatre’s second kapellmeister, Greek conductor Zoi Tsokanou. Rather than to experiment, director Markus Weckesser chose to set the story, very traditionally, into a Bohemian village, the atmosphere of which is enhanced by the realist scenography and costumes. The central pair … Read more

Hannover: The Bartered Bride

Staatsoper Hannover chose to present Bedřich Smetana’s The Bartered Bride as one of their productions for the 2016/2017 season. The premiere took place on 29th October and there are ten more performances to follow. The production was directed by Martin G. Berger, young German director celebrated especially for his radical production of Strauss’ Die Fledermaus (also … Read more

Jan Kučera: Beer Oratorio (world premiere)

Pivní oratorium (Beer Oratorio) by a composer and conductor Jan Kučera (*1977) received its premiere during the final concert of the 38th year of the Pardubice Music Spring International Festival, which took place on 10 May at the Suk Hall of the House of Music in Pardubice. Commissioned by the festival whose aim is to annually … Read more

Hildesheim: The Bartered Bride

On April 30 the Theater für Niedersachsen in Hildeshaim, Lower Saxony, gave premiere to a new production of Bedřich Smetana’s The Bartered Bride. It was created by Guillermo Amaya, a Spanish director who currently holds the post of the theatre’s chief stage director, and conducted by its music director Werner Seitzer. The leading roles are sung by the Spanish … Read more

Boston Symphony Orchestra: three concerts of the music by Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák and Bohuslav Martinů

One of the world’s greatest orchestras, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, selected an all-Czech programme for its concerts on 21, 22 and 23 January. Jiří Bělohlávek, who had been forced to withdraw from the concerts due to medical reasons, was replaced by Seattle Symphony Orchestra Music Director Ludovic Morlot. Smetana’s Moldau opened the show, followed by Fantaisies symphoniques … Read more