December and beyond belong to opera at the National Theatre
Opera in music as hidden depths of passion, luxury and drama
According to Jean Jacques Rousseau, opera means “a dramatic musical performance striving to unite all of the magic of the arts in presentation of a passionate act, in order to evoke interest and illusion with the aid of pleasant sensations.” Opera, from the Italian term “opera in musica”, is an artform combining a dramatic theatrical performance with music. Imagine the actors singing the given text (libretto) completely or in part to an instrumental accompaniment.
A mere fragment of the luxury performances
We can for example rank the spellbinding opera by Leoš Janáček – Jenůfa as one of the unique gems of the opera world. You will be able to enjoy this at the National Theatre in three performances on 1, 15 and 29 December. This opera was based on the play “Her Stepdaughter” by Gabriela Preissová and created under the guidance of the director Jiří Nekvasil and set designer Daniel Dvořák.
Orpheus in the Underworld – a Parisian operetta in Prague
In its original form the operetta is basically a lighter and more entertaining form of opera in which spoken word takes turns with song. The immortality of the operetta Orpheus in the Underworld was ensured by the moving melodies, the sparkling dialogues and last but not least the “Infernal Galop” (the French can-can), which became a musical symbol of Paris from the moment of the premiere of this operetta on 21.10.1858 in the composer’s own theatre Bouffes-Parisiens. Jacques Offenbach is responsible for this. Orpheus in the Underworld was first performed in the Czech Republic on 13.12.1863 in the then Royal Regional Bohemian Provisional Theatre in Prague. Luxury performances will be taking place on 4, 5 and 28 December 2017 at the National Theatre.
Don Hrabal – attempting a likeness of the famous writer
The opera Don Hrabal depicts the final years of the famous Czech(-oslovak) writer. But it is certainly not only a portrait of the “artist as an old man”. It presents Hrabal as a lone Mohican, palaverer, great storyteller and amusing glossarist. Premiere 14.12.2017 at the Nová scéna.
Billy Budd – opera of the 20th century, a dominant feature in January
Billy Budd by the British composer Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) is one of the crowning musical and dramatic works of the 20th century. The opera is based on a novel by Herman Melville and tells a story which took place on a British battleship during the Napoleonic Wars. Premieres on 18 and 20 January 2018, National Theatre.
Homage to Mozart – The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro)
Only one luxury theatre remains in the world in which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself directed performance of his own operas. This is the Estates Theatre in Prague. The music of Mozart has been played on the stage here since 1783, when Il Seraglio was performed here. The premiere of The Marriage of Figaro will be performed on 1 and 3 February 2018.
Don’t miss it!
