Selected Engagements

Leoš Janáček, Author
Julius Zeyer, Libretto
Dominik Pernica, Musical Preparation, Conductor
Jiří Heřman, Director
Dragan Stojčevski, Set and Costume design
Martin Buchta, Chorus Master
Jiří Heřman, Lighting design
Patricie Částková, Dramaturgy

Daniel Kfelíř, Přemysl Bar
Nicky Spence, Ctirad Ten
Eliška Gattringerová – J.H., Šárka Sop
Ondřej Koplík, Lumír Ten
Julius Drake, Pianist

Who has the right to rule? Does it belong to men or women? Princess Libuše ruled together with Přemysl, but after her death, women are ignominiously banished from the council, and the right to rule is claimed exclusively by men. However, the women, led by Vlasta, do not intend to put up with this and decide to claim their rights by force. They set a trap for the men, led by Ctirad, but their straightforward plan becomes unexpectedly complicated…

The first premiere of the season in a festival year is traditionally connected with a new production of a work by Leoš Janáček. This time, it will be an unconventional project. The motto of the 10th edition of the festival is “Roots,” and our contribution, in the form of the Maestro’s first opera, Šárka, points exactly to them. Not at the Janáček Theatre, however, but in the form of a site-specific project that will take us to the Besední dům, a venue deeply connected with Janáček’s influence on Brno’s cultural life.
The opera Šárka exists in two versions – from 1887–1888, when Janáček finished the work only in a piano score, and from 1925, in a revised and orchestrated version. Both versions will be performed at the festival, but director Jiří Heřman has chosen the first for his project to bring the audience in the spaces of the Besední dům right into the middle of the dramatic clash between men and women, which culminates in an unexpected tragedy.
The piano part will be performed by the outstanding British pianist Julius Drake, the role of Ctirad will be sung by British tenor Nicky Spence, and soprano Eliška Gattringerová will take on the role of Šárka.
Janáček set this version aside and forgot about it, but today the piano version offers valuable insight into his compositional style. Despite the apparent romantic influence, one can already feel his profound sense of drama and theater – a power that remains impressive and highly relevant today.

Andrè Schuen (baritone)
Julius Drake (piano)

Experience the magnetic artistry of baritone Andrè Schuen, internationally acclaimed as one of today’s finest Don Giovannis, in an intimate evening of Schumann’s most captivating songs. Joined by the exceptional pianist Julius Drake, Schuen brings rare insight, warmth, and dramatic intensity to Liederkreis, Op. 24 and Dichterliebe. His velvety tone and compelling stage presence, paired with a natural charisma that has captivated audiences across Europe, make this a recital not to miss. Together, these masterpieces unfold a world of poetry, passion, and longing in a performance of striking immediacy and emotional depth.

This concert is generously sponsored by Sir Richard Aikens & Penny Jonas.

Programme
Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Liederkreis opus 24
Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Dichterliebe

Leoš Janáček, Author
Julius Zeyer, Libretto
Dominik Pernica, Musical Preparation, Conductor
Jiří Heřman, Director
Dragan Stojčevski, Set and Costume design
Martin Buchta, Chorus Master
Jiří Heřman, Lighting design
Patricie Částková, Dramaturgy

Daniel Kfelíř, Přemysl Bar
Nicky Spence, Ctirad Ten
Eliška Gattringerová – J.H., Šárka Sop
Ondřej Koplík, Lumír Ten
Julius Drake, Pianist

Who has the right to rule? Does it belong to men or women? Princess Libuše ruled together with Přemysl, but after her death, women are ignominiously banished from the council, and the right to rule is claimed exclusively by men. However, the women, led by Vlasta, do not intend to put up with this and decide to claim their rights by force. They set a trap for the men, led by Ctirad, but their straightforward plan becomes unexpectedly complicated…

The first premiere of the season in a festival year is traditionally connected with a new production of a work by Leoš Janáček. This time, it will be an unconventional project. The motto of the 10th edition of the festival is “Roots,” and our contribution, in the form of the Maestro’s first opera, Šárka, points exactly to them. Not at the Janáček Theatre, however, but in the form of a site-specific project that will take us to the Besední dům, a venue deeply connected with Janáček’s influence on Brno’s cultural life.
The opera Šárka exists in two versions – from 1887–1888, when Janáček finished the work only in a piano score, and from 1925, in a revised and orchestrated version. Both versions will be performed at the festival, but director Jiří Heřman has chosen the first for his project to bring the audience in the spaces of the Besední dům right into the middle of the dramatic clash between men and women, which culminates in an unexpected tragedy.
The piano part will be performed by the outstanding British pianist Julius Drake, the role of Ctirad will be sung by British tenor Nicky Spence, and soprano Eliška Gattringerová will take on the role of Šárka.
Janáček set this version aside and forgot about it, but today the piano version offers valuable insight into his compositional style. Despite the apparent romantic influence, one can already feel his profound sense of drama and theater – a power that remains impressive and highly relevant today.

Leoš Janáček, Author
Julius Zeyer, Libretto
Dominik Pernica, Musical Preparation, Conductor
Jiří Heřman, Director
Dragan Stojčevski, Set and Costume design
Martin Buchta, Chorus Master
Jiří Heřman, Lighting design
Patricie Částková, Dramaturgy

Daniel Kfelíř, Přemysl Bar
Nicky Spence, Ctirad Ten
Eliška Gattringerová – J.H., Šárka Sop
Ondřej Koplík, Lumír Ten
Julius Drake, Pianist

Who has the right to rule? Does it belong to men or women? Princess Libuše ruled together with Přemysl, but after her death, women are ignominiously banished from the council, and the right to rule is claimed exclusively by men. However, the women, led by Vlasta, do not intend to put up with this and decide to claim their rights by force. They set a trap for the men, led by Ctirad, but their straightforward plan becomes unexpectedly complicated…

The first premiere of the season in a festival year is traditionally connected with a new production of a work by Leoš Janáček. This time, it will be an unconventional project. The motto of the 10th edition of the festival is “Roots,” and our contribution, in the form of the Maestro’s first opera, Šárka, points exactly to them. Not at the Janáček Theatre, however, but in the form of a site-specific project that will take us to the Besední dům, a venue deeply connected with Janáček’s influence on Brno’s cultural life.
The opera Šárka exists in two versions – from 1887–1888, when Janáček finished the work only in a piano score, and from 1925, in a revised and orchestrated version. Both versions will be performed at the festival, but director Jiří Heřman has chosen the first for his project to bring the audience in the spaces of the Besední dům right into the middle of the dramatic clash between men and women, which culminates in an unexpected tragedy.
The piano part will be performed by the outstanding British pianist Julius Drake, the role of Ctirad will be sung by British tenor Nicky Spence, and soprano Eliška Gattringerová will take on the role of Šárka.
Janáček set this version aside and forgot about it, but today the piano version offers valuable insight into his compositional style. Despite the apparent romantic influence, one can already feel his profound sense of drama and theater – a power that remains impressive and highly relevant today.

Elisabeth Leonskaja (piano)
Julius Drake (piano)

Programme
Two outstanding international careers will meet on a single keyboard: Elisabeth Leonskaja and Julius Drake, undisputed giants of the piano scene in recent decades, are coming together for an exceptional event to explore Schubert’s personal, visionary creations for four hands. This format, domestic in origin and symphonic in ambition, makes the piano a shared space where breathing, personal presence and phrasing must merge with almost choreographic precision. Playing four hands involves negotiating each instinct, sharing the spotlight and building a single soundscape from two perspectives: an exercise of trust, radical listening and physical rapport that also becomes expressive rapport.

The programme brings together three gems from Schubert’s mature period: the tempestuous, dramatic Allegro D. 947 “Lebensstürme”; the Fantasia D. 940, with its almost orchestral nature and free-spirited architecture; and the expansive and structurally symphonic Grand Duo D. 812. Written towards the end of the composer’s life, these works reflect the budding Romanticism of 1820 Vienna, where piano was becoming a laboratory for extreme emotions. In the interplay of hands – treble and bass, impulse and resonance – the orchestra lying dormant within the keyboard fully emerges. This will be a powerfully poetic evening of sublime musical dialogue.

Repertoire
Franz Schubert: Allegro D 947 “Lebenstürme”
Franz Schubert: Fantasia D 940
Franz Schubert: Grand Duo D 812

Gerald Finley, Bariton
Julius Drake, Klavier

Programme

Robert Schumann
Lehn deine Wang op. 142/2 (Vier Gesänge) (1840)
Es leuchtet meine Liebe op. 127/3 (Fünf Lieder und Gesänge) (1840)
Dein Angesicht, so lieb und schön op. 127/2 (Fünf Lieder und Gesänge) (1840)
Mein Wagen rollet langsam op. 142/4 (Vier Gesänge) (1840)
Dichterliebe. Liederzyklus nach Gedichten von Heinrich Heine op. 48 (1840)

Edvard Grieg
Gruß op. 48/1 (1884–1888)
Dereinst, Gedanke mein op. 48/2 (1884–1888)
Verdens Gang »Lauf der Welt« op. 48/3 (1884–1888)
Zur Rosenzeit »I Rosentiden« op. 48/5 (1889)
En dröm »Ein Traum« op. 48/6 (1884–1888)

Samuel Barber
There’s nae lark (1927)
Nocturne op. 13/4 (1940)
Rain has fallen op. 10/1 (1936)
Sleep now op. 10/2 (1936)
I hear an army op. 10/3 (1936)

Charles Ives
A Christmas Carol (1898 vor)

Benjamin Britten
I wonder as I wander

Irving Berlin
White Christmas
und andere festliche Lieder

Gerald Finley, Bariton
Julius Drake, Klavier

Programme

Robert Schumann
Lehn deine Wang op. 142/2 (Vier Gesänge) (1840)
Es leuchtet meine Liebe op. 127/3 (Fünf Lieder und Gesänge) (1840)
Dein Angesicht, so lieb und schön op. 127/2 (Fünf Lieder und Gesänge) (1840)
Mein Wagen rollet langsam op. 142/4 (Vier Gesänge) (1840)
Dichterliebe. Liederzyklus nach Gedichten von Heinrich Heine op. 48 (1840)

Edvard Grieg
Gruß op. 48/1 (1884–1888)
Dereinst, Gedanke mein op. 48/2 (1884–1888)
Verdens Gang »Lauf der Welt« op. 48/3 (1884–1888)
Zur Rosenzeit »I Rosentiden« op. 48/5 (1889)
En dröm »Ein Traum« op. 48/6 (1884–1888)

Samuel Barber
There’s nae lark (1927)
Nocturne op. 13/4 (1940)
Rain has fallen op. 10/1 (1936)
Sleep now op. 10/2 (1936)
I hear an army op. 10/3 (1936)

Charles Ives
A Christmas Carol (1898 vor)

Benjamin Britten
I wonder as I wander

Irving Berlin
White Christmas
und andere festliche Lieder

Lied Course in Murcia, Spain

This three-day course at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Murcia “Massotti Littel” offers pianists and voice-and-piano duos the opportunity to explore the interpretation and performance of Lied and song repertoire. Sessions will focus on the close collaboration between singer and pianist, with participants working in depth on their chosen repertoire.

The course takes place from 19–21 February 2027 in Murcia, Spain. Applications are open until 20 October 2026, with places available for participating pianists and duos as well as observers.

Applicants are kindly requested to provide details of their level of study, proposed repertoire, and the participating performers, as specified in the application form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVrr0GyOSxwoZcg3ENgK3EyJx1cRNs9dUwtLAqA2ENsChP2A/viewform?usp=dialog

Dates: 19–21 February 2027
Location: Conservatorio Superior de Música de Murcia “Massotti Littel”, Murcia, Spain
Application deadline: 20 October 2026
Applications & repertoire: mapilar.beltran@murciaeduca.es

Fees:
Observers: €30
CSM Murcia students: €60
External students: €90
External pianists: €100

Lied Course in Murcia, Spain

This three-day course at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Murcia “Massotti Littel” offers pianists and voice-and-piano duos the opportunity to explore the interpretation and performance of Lied and song repertoire. Sessions will focus on the close collaboration between singer and pianist, with participants working in depth on their chosen repertoire.

The course takes place from 19–21 February 2027 in Murcia, Spain. Applications are open until 20 October 2026, with places available for participating pianists and duos as well as observers.

Applicants are kindly requested to provide details of their level of study, proposed repertoire, and the participating performers, as specified in the application form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVrr0GyOSxwoZcg3ENgK3EyJx1cRNs9dUwtLAqA2ENsChP2A/viewform?usp=dialog

Dates: 19–21 February 2027
Location: Conservatorio Superior de Música de Murcia “Massotti Littel”, Murcia, Spain
Application deadline: 20 October 2026
Applications & repertoire: mapilar.beltran@murciaeduca.es

Fees:
Observers: €30
CSM Murcia students: €60
External students: €90
External pianists: €100

Lied Course in Murcia, Spain

This three-day course at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Murcia “Massotti Littel” offers pianists and voice-and-piano duos the opportunity to explore the interpretation and performance of Lied and song repertoire. Sessions will focus on the close collaboration between singer and pianist, with participants working in depth on their chosen repertoire.

The course takes place from 19–21 February 2027 in Murcia, Spain. Applications are open until 20 October 2026, with places available for participating pianists and duos as well as observers.

Applicants are kindly requested to provide details of their level of study, proposed repertoire, and the participating performers, as specified in the application form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVrr0GyOSxwoZcg3ENgK3EyJx1cRNs9dUwtLAqA2ENsChP2A/viewform?usp=dialog

Dates: 19–21 February 2027
Location: Conservatorio Superior de Música de Murcia “Massotti Littel”, Murcia, Spain
Application deadline: 20 October 2026
Applications & repertoire: mapilar.beltran@murciaeduca.es

Fees:
Observers: €30
CSM Murcia students: €60
External students: €90
External pianists: €100