In a spell-binding performance, Smetana’s The Devil’s Wall in Ostrava proves to be a neglected masterwork

Czech RepublicCzech Republic Smetana, The Devil’s Wall (Čertova stĕna): Soloists, Ballet, Choir and Orchestra of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre / Marek Šedivý (conductor). Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Ostrava, 9.3.2024. (GT)

Smetana’s The Devil’s Wall © Martin Popelář

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Smetana’s The Secret is a sparkling comedy packed with swift-moving action and brilliant singing in Ostrava

Czech RepublicCzech Republic Smetana, The Secret (Tajemství): Soloists, Choir and Orchestra of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre / Jakub Klecker (conductor). Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Ostrava, 8.3.2024. (GT)

Smetana’s The Secret © Martin Popelář

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Smetana’s wacky village comedy The Kiss gets an exhilarating performance in Ostrava’s celebratory festival

Czech RepublicCzech Republic Smetana, The Kiss (Hubička): Soloists, Choir and Orchestra of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre /Marek Šedivý (conductor). Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Ostrava, 7.3.2024. (GT)

Veronika Rovná (Vendulka) © Martin Popelář

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Smetana’s The Two Widows in Ostrava celebrates the 200th anniversary in magnificent style

Czech RepublicCzech Republic Smetana, The Two Widows (Dvě vdovy): Soloists, Choir and Orchestra of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre / Marek Šedivý (conductor). Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Ostrava, 6.3.2024. (GT)

Smetana’s The Two Widows © Martin Popelář

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Shostakovich Festival Leipzig 2025 – 15 May to 1 June

Shostakovich Festival Leipzig 2025

Shostakovich’s music has much in common with Beethoven and Mahler by sharing in their creativity the ideals of humanity, freedom and justice. It is no coincidence that Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony was composed like Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony during a time when Vienna and Leningrad were under siege. It is for the shared values of human dignity entwined in their magnificently expressive scores that more and more people are drawn to their music.

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Leipzig Opera’s eco-friendly staging of Musgrave’s Mary, Queen of Scots is a right royal success

GermanyGermany Thea Musgrave, Mary, Queen of Scots: Soloists, Actors and Chorus of Leipzig Opera, Gewandhaus Orchestra / Matthias Foremny (conductor), Leipzig Opera, 12.1.2024. (GT)

Mary, Queen of Scots (Nicole Chevalier) and James Stewart, Earl of Moray (Franz Xaver Schlecht) © Tom Schulze

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