(Credit: Juraj Filas official website)

Leading Czech composer Juraj Filas has died at the age of 66 after suffering a fatal COVID-19 infection.

Filas’s work included more than 100 compositions, including symphonies, cantatas, and numerous compositions for chamber ensemble. His compositions have been performed at the great classic venues, including the Carnegie Hall in New York.

Filas was born in 1955 and grew up in Kosice, Slovakia. He first graduated from the Prague Conservatory with a degree in voice. He subsequently graduated at the Prague Academy of Performing Arts.

Among his famous works are operas “Jane Eyre” and “Memento Mori;” “Regina coeli,” song for children’s voice, flute and organ; “La canzone dell’amore,” vocal drama for soprano, baritone, chorus, organ and orchestra; “Poslední sen starého dubu,” lyric cantata after the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen for children’s chorus and orchestra; “Song of Solomon” for soprano, tenor, mixed choir, and orchestra; “Lauretti – Altre canzone amorose,” cantata for chamber chorus, two violins, cello and piano; Krvavé Te Deum “Obětem Gulagu” for soprano, chorus, synthesizer, tape and orchestra; Chamber cantata “La canzone dell’ultimo addio;” “Requiem Oratio spei” for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus and orchestra; and “Vyznania básnika,” four songs for baritone and piano, among many others.

OperaWire sends its condolences to the family and friends of Juraj Filas in these difficult times.