Le Roi David is one of the masterpieces by the Swiss composer Arthur Honegger, written in 1921. It represents a significant milestone in his musical development. This oratorio is based on the biblical figure of King David from the Old Testament. Le Roi David is a notable work not only for its musical qualities but also for its ability to create an emotional and dramatic space in which the biblical story comes alive as an intense experience for the audience.

At our festival, it will be performed in an extraordinary rendition by world-class soloists, a narrator, a large choir, and an orchestra.

programme

Bohuslav Martinů:
Sinfonietta La Jolla for piano and chamber orchestra, H. 328
I. Poco allegro
II. Largo – Andante moderato
III. Allegro

Arthur Honegger:
Le roi David

Part I
1. I. Introduction
II. The Song of David, the Shepherd
III. Psalm: All Praise to Him
IV. Song of Victory
V. March
VI. Psalm: In the Lord I Put my Faith
VII. Psalm: O Had I Wings Like a Dove
VIII. Song of the Prophets
IX. Have Mercy on Me, my Lord
X. Saul’s Camp
XI. Psalm: God, the Lord Shall Be my Light
XII. Incantation
XIII. March of the Philistines
XIV. The Lamentations of Gilboa

Part II
XV. Festival Song (Song of the Daughters of Israel)
XVI. The Dance before the Ark

Part III
XVII. Song, Now my Voice in Song Upsoaring
XVIII. Song of the Handmaid
XIX. Psalm of Penitence
XX. Psalm; Behold, in Evil I Was Born
XXI. Psalm: O Shall I Raise mine Eyes unto the Mountains?
XXII. The Song of Ephraim
XXIII. March of the Hebrews
XXIV. Psalm: In my Distress
XXV. Psalm: In this Terror, the Great God which I Adore
XXVI. The Coronation of Solomon
XXVII. The Death of David

performers

Kateřina Kněžíková – soprano
Helen Charlston – alto
Dovlet Nurgeldiyev – tenor
Vladimír Polívka – narrator
Prague Philharmonic Choir
Prague Philharmonia
Conductor Lukáš Vasilek

photogallery