In 2008 we are commemorating the 80th anniversary of the death of Leoš Janáček, one of the most original personalities of European music and indisputably the Czech opera composer with the greatest world renown. Janáček’s penultimate opera, The Makropulos Affair (1926), is inspired by Karel Čapek’s play of the same name. The opera takes over the basic framework, characters and situations from Čapek’s famous “philosophical comedy” about the desire for immortality and the fear of it. Janáček’s independent input, so typical of him, is the foregrounding of erotic relationships and the story’s erotic atmosphere in general, as well as an immense empathising with the pivotal role of a woman, the famous singer Emilie Marty, who, despite all the cynicism accumulated during her immortal life, actually still longs for love, sense and fulfilment, and envies those mortals who can believe – perhaps naively – in these “ordinary things”. The Anglo-American production team is bolstered by the Czech conductor Tomáš Hanus, who already conducted The Makropulos Affair at Paris’s Opéra Bastille.
Orchestra and Choir of the National Theatre Opera.
Co-production with the English National Opera
Conductor: Tomáš Hanus
Director: Christopher Alden
Stage design: Charles Edwards
Costumes: Sue Willmington
Lights: Adam Silverman
Chorus master: Martin Buchta
Dramaturgy: Beno Blachut
Režijní spolupráce: Peter Littlefield
Emilia Marty: Gun-Brit Barkmin
Albert Gregor: Gianluca Zampieri
Solicitor Vítek: Jan Markvart
Kristina: Alžběta Poláčková
Jaroslav Prus: Martin Bárta
Janek: Tomáš Kořínek
Dr. Kolenatý: Gustáv Beláček
Stagehand: Bohuslav Maršík
Charwoman: Lenka Šmídová
Chamber-maid: Stanislava Jirků
The National Theatre is one of the most important Czech cultural institutions and has a rich artistic tradition, which helped to maintain and develop the Czech language and Czech musical and dramatic arts. The construction of the National Theatre building was financed by contributions from the public and the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone in 1868 became a national event. The theatre's repertoire is based on a rich classical tradition, but also focuses on contemporary domestic authors and draws on modern global trends. The current National Theatre is made up of three artistic companies - opera, drama and ballet.
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Tram: 9, 22, 23, 17 or 18 all go directly to the National Theatre
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Metro: Metro B to Národní třída
20 min walk from centre (Old Town Hall)
Dress code: Guests are encouraged to dress smartly. A jacket & tie is not strictly necessary, but we would advise against wearing jeans and trainers.
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