Rusalka will be performed in Dvořák’s Prague, the Cleveland Orchestra returns — ČT24 — Czech Television
Dvořák’s Prague begins on September 8, i.e. on the anniversary of the birth of the composer whose name he bears in his interest. This year’s edition is opened by the Munich Philharmonic with Antonín Dvořák’s Violoncello Concerto in B minor as well as his New World Symphony. The opening concert is broadcast live by Czech Television.
Dvořák’s work logically runs through the entire festival program. For example, the Czech Philharmonic, which once again accepted the status of a resident orchestra, staged a concert performance of Dvořák’s opera Rusalka. “With excellent international singers led by Asmik Grigorianová, who is seen at the moment as perhaps the ideal representative of Rusalka,” adds festival director Jan Simon.
The chamber row will be the starting point of the three-year project. Under the patronage of the members of the Pavel Haas Quartet, all of Dvořák’s string quartets will be performed gradually. Among the attractions in the chamber series is also a recital by Argentine pianist Martha Argerichová.
World orchestras
The director of the Dvořák Prague Festival, Jan Simon, considers the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra, which returns to Prague after thirty-three years, to be the highlight of this year’s program. According to him, the corps, which is part of the so-called Big Five, represents the best that exists on the American continent among symphony orchestras.
The Czech footprint of this orchestra is also significant – Bohuslav Martinů composed Symphony No. 2 on his order, and in 1943 they personally attended the premiere of his composition. Violinist Josef Suk, conductor Jakub Hrůša, and recently pianist Lukáš Vondráček also collaborated with the orchestra. The Prague concert of the Cleveland Orchestra will be dedicated to the music of composer Richard Strauss.
London’s Royal Symphony Orchestra and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra can also be heard in the World Orchestras programme.
A program for the family
Dvořák’s Prague traditionally also dedicates space to the upcoming interpretation generation. As part of the accompanying program, he will also organize a Family Concert or Family Day this year. “The theme is Rusalka, but we want to present it to children and parents in a theater performance as a fairy tale. However, the most famous arias will be played,” outlined Simon.
The energy crisis also affects the festival. “We definitely feel it in terms of the total financial volume, however, in terms of the number of admissions, we are a bit better than in the pre-covid year 2019. Some concerts are sold out, but people are more likely to reach for tickets in the lower price category,” explained Simon.