ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK
The Spectre's Bride, cantata Op. 69
Kateřina KNĚŽÍKOVÁ | soprano
Aleš BRISCEIN | tenor
Svatopluk SEM | baritone
PRAGUE PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
Lukáš KOZUBÍK | choirmaster
PRAGUE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Tomáš BRAUNER | conductor
The inclusion of another piece by the imaginary tandem Karel Jaromír Erben and Antonín Dvořák, was inspired by the poet’s anniversary. Yet the Czech historical context in the case of The Spectre’s Bride is only a small piece in the jigsaw of this composition’s beginning. After two performances in Pilsen with the Orchestra of the 35th Regiment, a majestic production followed in Birmingham with a 150-member orchestra and 400 strong choir, after which came a whirlwind tour to Edinburgh, London, Glasgow, Leeds, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston. Although this time there won’t be 550 musicians on stage, looking at the cast and choice of chorus, the quality of performance under the baton of Tomáš Brauner – who has dreamt up this program – will not disappoint. Let us hope that the maiden will be saved this time, and the remnants of the torn wedding shirt (a key item in the poem) strewn around the cemetery will turn into memories to be taken away by the concertgoers.