The Czech Lieder Society recently released “Songs,” an intriguing double CD of songs and piano pieces by Sláva Vorlová. It is unlikely that many reading this article will have heard her name or any of her works, yet during her lifetime (1894 – 1973) she was well-known and an influential composer. From an early age, Vorlová pursued an interest in {…}
(Photo: Národní divadlo Brno) Fairytales often speak directly to our unconscious, revealing drives and truths that are not always apparent to our conscious selves. It is therefore not surprising that many tales are replicated across countries and cultures, even if the characters and details vary. The Slavic fable of Rusalka, for example, has counterparts with the French Melusine, Germanic Nixie {…}
(Photo: Falk von Traubenburg) Max Cenčić has a long-established reputation as a sensitive and technically brilliant virtuoso countertenor. However, over the past six or seven years, he has also become increasingly known for his skills as a stage director owing to a string of stunning productions, such as Hasse’s “Siroe,” which he toured in 2017. In 2020, he was appointed {…}
