Singer

The first half of the concert will be of Russian Romanticism music. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in D Minor by Sergei Rachmaninov is one of his most technically demanding piano concertos. The young British artist Isata Kanneh-Mason will be presented to the audience in Prague. The second part of the evening will be of Russian music of the 20th century. The chief conductor of the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, Petr Popelka, will present the neo-classical oratorio-opera Oedipus Rex by Igor Stravinsky. The libretto was written by the French poet and playwright Jean Cocteau, based on Sophocles' tragedy of the same name. The title roles will be played by: Ester Paulů (mezzo-soprano), Jiří Brückler (baritone), Pavel Švingr (bass) and Daniel Matoušek (tenor), with Igor Bareš as the narrator. The artists will be accompanied by the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and the male part of the Prague Philharmonic Choir.

EPSG:4326

Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto

Rudolfinum

Verdi's most monumental work, full not only of sadness but also of Italian drama, is one of the most demanding vocal-instrumental works, requiring truly top performers such as conductor Tomáš Brauner, soprano Krassimira Stoyanova, Ester Pavlů or Pavel Černoch.

Verdi – Requiem

Municipal House

George Bizet's timeless work, Carmen, combines a powerful theme with absolutely iconic music. One emotional melody follows another, and you can hear the colourful orchestras, the sophistication of the parts, the rhythmic dances and the songs.

Czech mezzo-soprano Ester Pavlů will perform as Carmen. She belongs to the role, both on domestic and European stages, just like a red rose.

Don José will be played by the most sought-after tenor of today, Joseph Calleja. It will be his first appearance at the Krumlov Festival.

The trio of exceptional voices will be joined by the local baritone Svatopluk Sem.

IMF Český Krumlov: Passionate Carmen (opera, ballet)

Brewery Garden, Český Krumlov

At twilight, the voice of the world-famous baritone Plácido Domingo will transform the poetic scenery of the city park. From the meadows surrounding the Vltava River, he will lure us into the splendor of the dramatic and imaginative world of opera. Alongside Plácido Domingo, the greatest arias and duets will be performed by the soprano Serena Sáenz, and the mezzo-soprano Ester Pavlů. Under the baton of Alessandro Crudele leading the Prague Philharmonia, we will experience stories of times long past, which have lost none of their urgency and beauty, just like Český Krumlov.

Opera Gala: Plácido Domingo

Municipal park, Český Krumlov

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

"My true subject is suffering," Dmitri Shostakovich once remarked when speaking about his music. These words resonate with particular urgency in his Eighth String Quartet of 1960, from which the Chamber Symphony, Op. 110a, later emerged in Rudolf Barshai’s arrangement.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9

When, in 1888, the music publisher Edoardo Sonzogno announced a competition for young Italian composers, who were invited to submit a one-act opera, he had not the slightest inkling that the victorious piece would become a timeless blockbuster. The 25-year-old Pietro Mascagni sent Cavalleria rusticana, which he had just completed. The premiere, in 1890 in Rome, was a true sensation, and the verismo opera, depicting ordinary contemporary people, villagers and low social classes, would remain Mascagni’s greatest success. Ruggero Leoncavallo decided to follow suit and duly composed his very first opera, Pagliacci, in the verismo style. Premiered in 1892 in Milan, the piece met with an enthusiastic response. In 1893, the two operas were first staged as a double bill, and ever since they have been frequently performed together.

Mezzo-soprano

Ester Pavlů

Events

Upcoming events

Sep 4, 2026 - May 5, 2027

Carmen · Národní divadlo

Mar 22, 2027

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 · Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

Apr 30 - May 6, 2027

Pagliacci / Cavalleria rusticana · Národní divadlo

Past events

Apr 20, 2026

Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto · Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

14 - 15 Jan, 2026

Verdi – Requiem · Prague Symphony Orchestra

Future and recently performed repertoire

Singer in Oedipus Rex by Stravinsky

Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

Carmen in Carmen by Bizet

Národní divadlo

Singer in Requiem by Verdi

Prague Symphony Orchestra

Singer in Symphony No. 9 by Beethoven

Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana by Mascagni

Národní divadlo

Singer in Carmen by Bizet

Prague Philharmonia

About

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