An evening at the second castle courtyard pairs Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major “Pastoral” with a concert performance of the newly rediscovered original version of Bohuslav Martinů’s opera Mariken de Nimègue. First performed in Vienna in 1808, the “Pastoral” symphony evokes the tranquility of the countryside, the murmur of a brook, and a dramatic storm followed by a serene hymn of thanksgiving to nature. It is one of the works that embody the festival’s NATURA theme. The one-act opera by Martinů, then, tells the story of a girl who succumbs to temptation, followed by her downfall, repentance, and a search for forgiveness.
Prague Symphony Orchestra FOK, under the baton of Tomáš Netopil, takes part in an extraordinary performance within the block of European premieres. Prague Philharmonic Choir and soloists led by Simona Houda Šaturová.
programme
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68, “Pastoral”
Bohuslav Martinů
Mariken de Nimègue
concert performance of the one-act opera
Performers
Mariken – Simona Houda Šaturová
The Devil – Jiří Brückler
The Virgin Mary – Bella Adamova
Mascaron – Daniel Matoušek
The Son of God – Pavel Švingr
Narrator – Vladimír Polívka
Prague Philharmonic Choir
Lukáš Kozubík – choirmaster
Prague premieres. Orchestra FOK
Tomáš Netopil – conductor
photogallery
