Zelenka - Sub olea pacis et palma virtutis

Sub olea pacis et palma virtutis conspicua orbi regia Bohemiae Corona: Melodrama de Sancto Wenceslao (Under the Olive Tree of Peace and the Palm Tree of Virtue the Crown of Bohemia Splendidly Shines Before the Whole World: Melodrama to Saint Wenceslas, ZWV 175) is an extensive composition, written in 1723. The composition was performed using authentic instruments of the Baroque era. Performed by Musica Florea, Musica Aeterna, Ensemble Philidor, Boni Pueri; soloists Noémi Kiss (soprano), Anna Hlavenková (soprano), Jaroslav Březina ([tenor), Adam Zdunikowsi (tenor), Aleš Procházka (bass), Markus Foerster (countertenor), conducetd Marek Štryncl (2000). This recording was awarded by Grand Prix du Disque.

ZSO

Martinů - Three Fragments and Suite From the Opera Juliette

Three Fragments and Suite From the Opera Juliette of Bohuslav Martinů, performed by Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by sir Charles Mackerras, with soloist Magdalena Kožená (mezzosoprano). Juliette is Martinu's operatic masterpiece and one of the most distinctive of all 20th-century operatic works. The plot is hallucinatory and wonderfully weird. Charles Mackerras delivers his usual outstanding results, the Czech Philharmonic plays amazingly, and the principal singers, especially Kožená and Davislim, sing beautifully. We still need a new recording of the complete opera, but until then this will do nicely. Essential for anyone who cares about 20th-century opera, or Martinů generally.

BOJ

Smetana - My Country, Bartered Bride

Excerpts from symphonic poem "Má Vlast" (My Country) and instrumental parts from the opera "Prodaná nevěsta" (Bartered Bride) of Bedřich Smetana, performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by James Levine.

SIP

Janáček - Complete Operas II

The second part of the set with operas From the House of the Dead, The Makropulos Case and Káťa Kabanová as Vol.2 of Complete Operas by Leoš Janáček, completed by Sinfonietta and symphonic poem Taras Bulba. Performed by Wiener Philharmoniker with various soloists, conductor Sir Charles Mackerras.

HOD
TMC
KAT

Janáček - Complete Operas I

Operas Jenufa, Cunning Little Wixen and Excursions of Mr.Brouček as Vol.1 of the set "Complete Operas" of Leoš Janáček, performed by Wiener Philharmoniker and soloists with conductor sir Charles Mackerras.

JEN
CLV
EMB

Janáček - Káťa Kabanová

"Káťa Kabanová" is an opera in three acts by Leoš Janáček to a libretto by Vincenc Červinka, based on "The Storm", a play by Alexander Ostrovsky. The first performance was at the National Theatre in Brno on 23 November 1921. This recording is performed by Vienna Philharmoniker with conductor sir Charles Mackerras and soloists Elisabeth Söderström, Dalibor Jedlička, Peter Dvorský, Naděžda Kniplová, Vladimír Krejčík,  Zdeněk Švehla, Libuše Márová, Jaroslav Souček, Jitka Pavlová, Gertrude Jahn. Vienna, December 1976.

JKK