Smetana 200: My Country
On the Moldau river banks in Jiří Bubeníček's ballet choreography
Artists
Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava
Alena Hron – conductor
Les Ballets Bubeníček – ballet ensemble
Jiří Bubeníček – choreography
Program
Bedřich Smetana: My Country
Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava
Founded in 1954, JFO has been performing at home overseas under the direction of world-class conductors. Since the 2020/2021 season the chief conductor and the artistic director of JFO is Vassily Sinaisky.
The JFO’s repertoire consists mainly of the works by Leoš Janáček, Antonín Dvořák and other Czech composers. The orchestra has also recorded a number of film scores.
In addition to conductors such as Václav Neumann, Charles Mackerras, Christian Arming and Daniel Raisking, the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava has also collaborated with renowned violinists Vadim Gluzman and Lisa Batiashvilli, cellist Gautier Capuçon, opera and popular singers such as Jonas Kaufmann, Plácido Domingo, José Carraras, Diana Ross or Tomáš Klus and Vojtěch Dyk.
Photo: Martin Straka
Alena Hron
After studying composition and conducting at the Prague Conservatory, the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague as well ass the Norges musikkhøgskole in Oslo, she made her debut leading the FOK at the Prague Spring Festival 2023. She has worked with a number of Czech and foreign symphony orchestras – amongst others she collaborated with the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava on the interpretation of Vítězslava Kaprálová’s work.
Thanks to her studies under J. Schlaefli and Ch. M. Mueller at the prestigious Zürcher Hochshule der Künste, she conducted orchestras in Konstanz, Amiens, Göttingen and Thessaloniki. She also conducted several operas, collaborated with the Prague Philharmonic Choir and co-founded and led the chamber choir Punkt. Her greatest work, the cycle Our Father, combines a classical and popular genre, characteristic of her composition and conducting approach.
Photo: Michal Bareš
Jiří Bubeníček
A sought-after choreographer and a former first soloist in Hamburg or at the Semperoper in Dresden has performed for example the role of Armand in Neumeier’s ballet The Lady with Camellias at the Paris Opera, for which he received the Benois de la Danse award.
In 1999 he started choreographing. Since then he has created over sixty choreographic works ranging from dance miniatures to full-length ballets, including Anita Berbera – Queen of the Night, Doctor Zhivago, The Piano, The Trial and Cinderella. He won the Europa in Danza Award for his ballet Carmen. He founded his own company Les Ballets Bubeníček. In 2017 he was honoured with the Silver Medal of the City of Prague. Since 2023 he has been organizing Bubeníček Ballet Masterclasses in Český Krumlov.
Private: Municipal Park
The 2.5 hectare park is located in the centre of Český Krumlov, on the left bank of the Vltava River. Since the end of the 16th century, the area of the present park has been a place of relaxation and a garden. It was used by the Jesuits, whose dormitory stood on the opposite bank. Extensive changes […]
