The Miracles of Mary - Bohuslav Martinů

The National Theatre

Premiere: October 29, 2009

Musical preparation: Jiří Bělohlávek
Conductor: Jiří Bělohlávek
Director: Jiří Heřman
Stage design: Pavel Svoboda
Costumes: Alexandra Grusková
Chorus master: Pavel Vaněk / Lukáš Vasilek
Dramaturgy: Ondřej Hučín
ChoirMaster of The Prague Phil. Children's Choir: Jiří Chvála

Appearing:

The Wise and Foolish Virgins

Archangel Gabriel: Kateřina Jalovcová / Stanislava Jirků
Foolish Virgin: Markéta Cukrová / Jana Levicová
Bridegroom: Dana Burešová / Pavla Vykopalová / Kateřina Jalovcová / Stanislava Jirků / Jaroslav Březina / Richard Samek / Aleš Hendrych / Ivan Kusnjer
Shopkeeper: Jiří Hájek / Jiří Kubík
Shopkeeper: David Nykl / František Zahradníček

Mariken of Nimégue

Mariken: Maria Haan / Alžběta Poláčková
Devil: Martin Bárta / Svatopluk Sem
Girl: Markéta Cukrová / Jana Levicová
Drunkard: Jiří Kubík / František Zahradníček
God: Jiří Hájek / David Nykl
Mother of God: Kateřina Jalovcová / Stanislava Jirků
Mascaron: Jaroslav Březina / Richard Samek

The Nativity

Mary: Maria Haan / Alžběta Poláčková
Blacksmith: Aleš Hendrych / Ivan Kusnjer
Blacksmith's Daughter: Kateřina Jalovcová / Stanislava Jirků
Inkeeper: Jiří Hájek / Jiří Kubík
Girl: Kateřina Jalovcová / Stanislava Jirků

Sister Paskalina

Sister Paskalina: Dana Burešová / Pavla Vykopalová
Sister Marta: Kateřina Jalovcová / Stanislava Jirků
Soprano: Maria Haan / Alžběta Poláčková
Alto: Markéta Cukrová / Jana Levicová
Tenor: Jaroslav Březina / Richard Samek
Bass: David Nykl / František Zahradníček

Bohuslav Martinů created this musico-dramatic work made up of four self-contained and contrasting parts in 1933 and 1934. Its central theme, inspired by medieval miracle plays and legends, is the benevolence and compassionateness of the Virgin Mary, and in the wider sense (and above all) womanhood – wise, foolish, sinful, vain, affectionate, self-sacrificing, munificent... In the spirit of the inter-war avant-garde, Martinů loosens up opera conventions and in an extremely free manner handles a gamut of expressive means – from solo voice, through characters formed by a group of singers, dance, spoken word, stylisation of folk theatre and poetry, to the principles of epic theatre. The work’s latest production at the National Theatre marks the 50th anniversary of Bohuslav Martinů’s death.

Orchestra, Choir and Ballet of the National Theatre Opera, Prague Philharmonic Choir and Kühn's Children Choir.

The opera is staged in Czech original version and English and Czech surtitles are used in the performance.

Duration of the performance: 3 hours