Písně z Gurre (2023)

Overview

A brilliant performance of Schönberg's monumental work at the Prague State Opera. Arnold Schönberg composed Gurre-Lieder to a text by J. P. Jacobsen about the tragic love of the Danish king Waldemar and his mistress Tove Lille, who was murdered out of jealousy by Queen Helviga. He orchestrated the composition for a monumental orchestral and vocal ensemble: five vocal solos, a narrator, a male and mixed choir, and a huge orchestra comprising 25 woodwind instruments, 25 brass instruments, four harps, a celesta, 16 different percussion instruments (including iron chains), and an exceptionally large string section. Every performance of this masterpiece, composed down to the last detail, is truly an overwhelming experience. SOČR chief conductor Petr Popelka seized this unique opportunity, as at the time of the performance of Songs he was also chief conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, and in this unique project he brought together the two ensembles entrusted to him.

Cast

Michael Weinius

Waldemar

Susanne Bernhard

Tove

Štěpánka Pučálková

Wood Dove

Yngve Søberg

Peasant

Kevin Conners

Klaus the Jester

Dietrich Henschel

Narrator

Petr Popelka

Self – Conductor

Vlastimil Kobrle

Self – Concertmaster

Jon Gjesme

Self – Concertmaster

Petr Fiala

Self – Choirmaster

Josef Chabroň

Self – Choirmaster