2017
Angela Gheorighiu and Ramón Vargas, Mischa Maisky, Julian Rachlin and other famous names performed in Český Krumlov
For the twenty-sixth time a musical showcase of European significance – the International Music Festival Český Krumlov, which introduced leading artists of the current foreign and local music scene, took place in Český Krumlov. From 14th July till 5th August the festival offered a total of 19 concerts. The dominant feature of the IMF was traditionally the opening opera gala concert which belonged to two opera stars this time – charming soprano Angela Gheorghiu and congenial tenor Ramón Vargas, who came back to Český Krumlov after six years. They were accompanied by the PKF – Prague Philharmonia under the leadership of Leoš Svárovský. The program of the opening concert was based on repertoire with which both artists have achieved success around the world.
The festival brought concerts of different genres also this year. It offered an opera gala concert, classical music, authentic interpretation, chanson, musicals and traditional Irish music, all that, as always, in attractive concert locations – at the Castle Riding Hall, Masquerade Hall and Castle Garden, under the open skies in the Brewery Garden and Kooperativa Garden as well as in the chamber atmosphere of the Church of Corpus Christi and the Grieving Virgin Mary on the premises of the former Minorite monastery. Important classical music personalities which performed at this year’s festival include, for example, violoncellist Mischa Maisky together with talented Chinese pianist Chulhee Yoon, violinist Maria Solozobova accompanied by the residential ensemble of the festival, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Conrad van Alphen and violinist Julian Rachlin, who made an appearance together with young Canadian violist Sarah McElravy and the South Czech Philharmonic, which he also conducted.
The festival also paid tribute to several artists, whose anniversary is being commemorated in 2017. The 450th anniversary of the birth of composer Claudio Monteverdi was honoured by the Cappella Mariana with a concert consisting of his works and trumpeter Marek Zvolánek and organist Pavel Svoboda paid tribute to one of the most important trumpeters of the 20th century, Maurice André. Violinist Bohuslav Matoušek together with his young colleague Jakub Junek and the Virtuosi Pragenses chamber orchestra, Korean violin talent Da Yoon You under the baton of Jan Talich, violoncellist Petr Nouzovský together with guitarist Miriam Rodriguez Brüllová, Peruvian guitarist Jesus Castro Balbi and the Janoska Ensemble with soprano Marcela Cerno and baritone Daniel Serafin also performed chamber concerts. Other chamber ensembles, such as the Škampa Quartet, the Smetana Trio and an ensemble which belongs to the world’s leading interpreters of sacred medieval music, Schola Gregoriana Pragensis, were present. Verdi’s Messa da Requiem, a piece whose every performance is always a feast and at the same time a deep enrichment, was interpreted by soloists Maria Kobielská, Terézia Kružliaková, Otokar Klein, Peter Mikuláš, the Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno, the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra from Zlín and conductor Stanislav Vavřínek.
However, the festival also offered refreshing popular genres: the Rendez-vous with French chanson interpreted by Radka Fišarová, the Irish Evening with the group Altan and with Irish whiskey tasting and American musicals in the “Bravo Broadway” program with authentic musical stars from Broadway – Chloe Lowery, Capathia Jenkins, Rob Evan and Hugh Panaro, accompanied by the North Czech Philharmonic Teplice, under the leadership of Randall Craig Fleischer. Besides concerts, the festival also prepared a program for children titled “we enjoy energy“. At the end of the festival a Baroque feast in the unique backdrop of the castle garden titled “A Night of Baroque Masters“, during which the ensemble Barocco sempre giovane with solo trumpeter Marek Zvolánek performed, took place. The evening ended with a festive firework display.