Bohuslav Martinů created this musico-dramatic work made up of four self-contained and contrasting parts in 1933 and 1934. Its central theme, inspired by medieval miracle plays and legends, is the benevolence and compassionateness of the Virgin Mary, and in the wider sense (and above all) womanhood – wise, foolish, sinful, vain, affectionate, self-sacrificing, munificent... In the spirit of the inter-war avant-garde, Martinů loosens up opera conventions and in an extremely free manner handles a gamut of expressive means – from solo voice, through characters formed by a group of singers, dance, spoken word, stylisation of folk theatre and poetry, to the principles of epic theatre. The work’s latest production at the National Theatre marks the 50th anniversary of Bohuslav Martinů’s death and may be seen at various dates until 30th May 2010.
Orchestra, Choir and Ballet of the National Theatre Opera, Prague Philharmonic Choir and Kühn's Children Choir.
Janáček’s penultimate opera takes up the basic storyline, characters and situations of Čapek’s renowned “philosophical comedy” about the desire for immortality, as well as the weariness and fear it engenders. The composer also follows Čapek’s trajectory in the comedic bustle around the central character, the singer Emilia Marty. Janáček’s independent and unmistakable input is the foregrounding of the erotic relationships and the story’s erotic atmosphere in general. He captivates through precise empathising with a woman who despite all the cynicism accumulated during her three-hundred-year life still longs for love, sense and fulfilment, and envies the mortals who are able – perhaps naively – to believe in these “ordinary things”. Photo, right, the German soprano Gun-Brit Barkmin as Emilia Marty in the present Prague production. In the repertoire until 23rd March 2010.
MUSIC BBC Radio 3 and Martinů 2009 marked the 50th year since the death of the great Czech composer,whose life began in a church tower in the village of Polička and endedin exile in the United States. A series of concerts, recitals and a study day from now until May 2010 Click here to find out more.
17 April 2010 at 19:30 Music by Stravinsky, Prokofiev and Martinů
8 May 2010 at 19:30 Music by Tippett, Schumann and Martinů
CHAMBER MUSIC The Wihan Quartet on Tour Since winning the London International String Quartet Competition in 1991, the Wihan Quartet has developed an impressive international career and is ‘Visiting Quartet in Residence’ at Trinity College of Music, London.
Saturday 17 April 2010, 7.30 pm Plymouth Chamber Music Trust University of Plymouth Sherwell Centre, North Hill, Plymouth, Devon Tel: 01752 588 017
Sunday 18 April 2010, 3 pm The Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 1UY Tel: 01743 353107
Saturday 1 May 2010, 7.30 pm Wihan Quartet with Martin Kasik Leamington Music Festival Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4AA Tel: 01926 742700
Sunday 2 May 2010, 3 pm Concord College, Acton Burnell, Nr Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY5 7PF Tel: 01694 731631
OPERA
OPERA Janáček's The Makropulos Case in Prague