With his very first recording American countertenor Bejun Mehta provoked an uproar. His “precocious musical maturity” won for him at the age of fifteen the title Debut Artist of the Year. At this same age Mozart, upon commission from the Teatro Ducale in Milan, composed the opera Ascanio in Alba. Although he never achieved his dream of a permanent engagement in Italy, his music of that period sparkles with a joy-filled intoxication. And with this same intoxication, Collegium 1704 too will immerse itself in the splendour of the Italian sun alongside charismatic star Bejun Mehta, who among contemporary countertenors has no peer.

‘Liquid gold that flows over any complicated ornament’: that is a description of the voice and skill of a Canadian soprano whose strong emotional expression and brilliant vocal technique have destined her for Baroque opera. In addition to her work on opera stages, she regularly collaborates with important Baroque orchestras. Many critics already consider Karina Gauvin a living legend who also interprets twentieth-century music with equal enthusiasm. Karina Gauvin is taking the place of the originally announced contralto Sara Mingardo, and tickets purchased for this concert remain valid.

Radúz and Mahulena

Zeyer’s dramatic poem is one of the most beautiful love stories to have graced a Czech stage. Classical fairy-tale motifs wed with mythological references joined together with bravado through a metaphorical language. Radúz and Mahulena, from feuding kingdoms, surmount on behalf of their love not only the wiles of fate, but also the sorceries of Queen Runa, burning with hate. Zeyer gave his play the subheading “A Slovak fairy tale in four acts” and the splendid prologue “I am a fairy tale. I will lead those who join me to the blue lands of fable...” Besides Slovak myths and fairy tales, he also drew upon the Indian drama Sakuntala by the poet Kalidasa. In doing so, he created an exceptionally impressive work whose centre of gravity is the power of the word augmented by abundant symbolism of colours and natural elements.

Drama in czech language.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS:
For concerts in Prague you can buy or reserve your tickets (from 250,- CZK or reduced from 140,- CZK) online at www.webticket.cz (in Czech only, we are sorry) or at our box office in Radioservis – official store of the Czech Radio (Vinohraská street 12, Prague 2, Mon – Fri, 9am – 5.30pm). The validity of the online reservation is one week and you have to pick up your reservation in Radioservis box office. If the reservation is made less that one week before the concert, you have to pick up your reservation at least two working days before the concert.
Online ticket sale and ticket sale in Radioservis ends at 2 pm of the concert day. Afterwards, you can reserve your seat only by contacting us on +420 774 21 1704. 
For concerts in Dresden you can buy the tickets or the subscriptions at www.reservix.de.

Tickets for concerts in Dresden
www.reservix.de, Tel.: +49(0)1805 700 733
List of sales points to be found here.

The first performance of a work which has for centuries lain in some dusty archive is always a cause for great celebration. And when we are dealing with a major composer whose known works have already been researched in detail, such an event arouses expectations many times greater. We shall offer the public Zelenka’s festive Missa Divi Xaverii in counterpoint to Bach’s festive Magnificat. Missa Divi Xaverii had its European modern première at the opening concert of the Oude Muziek Utrecht 2014 where Collegium 1704 had been invited to take part as the residential ensemble.

The first performance of a work which has for centuries lain in some dusty archive is always a cause for great celebration. And when we are dealing with a major composer whose known works have already been researched in detail, such an event arouses expectations many times greater. We shall offer the public Zelenka’s festive Missa Divi Xaverii in counterpoint to Bach’s festive Magnificat. Missa Divi Xaverii had its European modern première at the opening concert of the Oude Muziek Utrecht 2014 where Collegium 1704 had been invited to take part as the residential ensemble.

Monsieur de Pourceaugnac

Avarice, scheming, stupidity, pride and desire for social advancement are all themes that were topical at the time Moliere was writing his play, and they are still topical today. Monsieur de Pourceaugnac was created in 1669 as a comédie-ballet in prose and was first performed by Moliere’s troupe of actors before the court of Louis XIV at the Château de Chambord. The music was composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully. In this comedy, Moliere portrays a gawky, ennobled burgess longing to advance his social rank. The vehicle for reaching his goal should be his marrying Julie, the daughter of the noted aristocrat Oronte. Yet Julie loves the young and handsome Éraste. In order to prevent the impending marriage, the young couple devise a plan aimed at discrediting Monsieur de Pourceaugnac in the eyes of Julie’s parents. The composer of the music for our production, Vít Zouhar, will draw upon Lully’s motifs. The performance will also feature a small orchestra. The production will be directed by Hana Burešová, a specialist in discovering neglected plays.

Drama in czech language.