On May 19, 2023, the National Theatre of Prague will present Dvorak’s “Armida.”

The last work to be penned by the composer, it made its world premiere at the National Theatre on March 25, 1904. This new production will be music directed by Robert Jindra, MD of the National Theatre Opera, who will conduct the company orchestra and the chorus headed by Lukáš Kozubík. Renowned Czech director Jiří Heřman, currently the Artistic Director of the Janáček Opera of the National Theatre in Brno, was invited by Jindra to stage the work.

The cast will feature prominent Czech and Slovak singers, with the title role to be performed by Alžběta Poláčková, alongside Aleš Briscein as Rinald, Svatopluk Sem as Ismen, František Zahradníček as King Hydraot, Martin Bárta as Bohumir, Štefan Kocán as the Hermit, and more.

“A piece clearly bearing Dvořák’s hallmark, immensely dramatic and featuring leitmotifs in the fashion of Wagner’s style, it also contains new harmonies, which seem to presage Impressionism. Owing to its being extremely large-scale and challenging in all aspects, the opera is exceptional and surpassing the common repertoire,” said Jindra in an official press statement. “I believe that due to Jiří Heřman’s novel, inspiring approach, the new adaptation of ‘Armida,’ a magnificent work returning to the National Theatre more than three decades after the previous production, will reach out to a contemporary audience.”

Following performances will be held on May 21, and 26, as well as June 10, 16, and 25, 2023.