Carmen is actually one of the first verismo operas that preceded the “manifesto” of the Italian artistic movement. Its style, and the death of the title heroine, which were at variance with the established opéra comique conventions, seem to have been the reason why the work did not give rise to much public enthusiasm at and in the wake of the world premiere in Paris in 1875. Yet Carmen soon triumphed in other European cities.

Carmen

National Theatre Prague

What awaits Hansel and Gretel after they get lost in the forest? The German composer Engelbert Humperdinck transformed the classic Grimm brothers’ fairy tale into an opera with a libretto by his sister Adelheid Wette. Humperdinck’s music is marked by a masterful portrayal of scenes and settings, overflowing with beautiful melodies. Under his pen, fairy-tale characters come to life: woodland fairies, the wicked witch, and children made of gingerbread. Since its premiere in 1893, this opera has enchanted generations of audiences and rightfully belongs among the ten most popular works of the world repertoire. After a long 36 years, it now returns to Plzeň. Don’t worry—everything turns out well in the end!

Hansel and Gretel

Theater of JK Tyl New Stage

For over two centuries, Gioachino Rossini has been one of the most celebrated opera composers, and it might even have been the case if he had written nothing but Il barbiere di Siviglia. Both its genesis and premiere were connected with all kinds of twists and turns, which accompany many a play and opera. The piece had to be completed hastily, rehearsed and staged even more hastily; it was a setting of a literary work that had been used several times; the premiere was poorly received and affected by scandal, etc. In hindsight and knowing the fates of other creations, such circumstances would seem to be the best prerequisite for future success. Four years after the opera’s world premiere, in 1816 at the Teatro Argentino in Rome, Il barbiere di Siviglia was first presented, in German translation, at the Estates Theatre in Prague, which in 1825 staged the piece in Czech, owing mainly to the composer and conductor František Škroup (known primarily for creating the melody of the Czech national anthem), who would later on also give Czech premieres of operas by Wagner and others. The Provisional Theatre included Il barbiere di Siviglia in its repertoire during its very first season. Later on the opera was also undertaken by the National Theatre, which to date has adapted it in more than ten productions.

Il barbiere di Siviglia

As an example, we can mention Hana Glawari's song about the Vilja fairy or the Danila song about his debauchery at the Maxim’s nightclub. The Merry Widow also belongs to those few operettas, whose libretto can attract audiences even in the 21st century. The story, set in Paris in 1905, is immensely theatrical and offers an important storyline and witty dialogues. The Merry Widow premiered on 30 December 1905 at the Na Vídeňce Theatre in Vienna. In Pilsen it was first shown in 1907 and it has never disappeared from the repertory for a long time. This time, the production is presented to the audience in a co-production with the Prague’s Karlín Theatre.

The merry widow

Composed by one of the major figures of 20th-century musical theatre – the creator of 16 musicals and hundreds of songs, who launched his career writing the lyrics for Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story – it is an iconic work of its genre. SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a riveting synthesis of dark humour, horror and melodrama, imbued with brilliant musical irony.

Daniel Kfelíř

Events

Upcoming events

Sep 4, 2026 - May 5, 2027

Carmen · Národní divadlo

Sep 5, 2026

Hansel and Gretel · J.K. Tyl Theatre

Sep 13 - Dec 31, 2026

Il barbiere di Siviglia · Národní divadlo

Sep 20, 2026

The merry widow · J.K. Tyl Theatre

Sep 24, 2026 - Jun 27, 2027

SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street · Národní divadlo

Future and recently performed repertoire

Tatínek in Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck

J.K. Tyl Theatre

Morales in Carmen by Bizet

Národní divadlo

Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd by Sondheim

Národní divadlo

Fiorello in Il barbiere di Siviglia by Rossini

Národní divadlo

Hrabě Danilo Danilovič in The Merry Widow by Lehár

J.K. Tyl Theatre

About

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