Friday, February 13, 2015 Follow us on Twitter @Argus_The Guide


Armonico Consort in city tonight


SOLOIST: Nicola Benedetti In The Spotlight By GERAINT DAVIES The rich taste of Prague


SOME places just take your breath away. Last week I had the chance to spend a few days visiting the Renaissance and Ba- roque splendour that is Prague. Majestic castles, gothic spires and years of his- tory, plus statues remind- ing you of a turbulent past (much of it so recent) in a country oppressed, at var- ious times, by the powers of both Nazism and Com- munism. Wenceslas square still seems to resonate with the sound of the invading Russian tanks that rolled in, in 1968. This followed by the ‘vel-


vet’ revolution 20 years later before the eventual dissolution of the country that was Czechoslovakia. In sharp juxtaposition to


this magnificence lies the eeriest of sights. Contrast- ing so markedly with the beauty of the ‘golden’ city is the Jewish cemetery. A higgledy-piggledy mess of jagged grave- stones covering the untold thousands of bodies bur- ied there over centuries – all crammed into a space the size of a small foot- ball pitch. A sight forever etched in your mind.


And just a street away


lie rows of exclusive de- signer shops – Jimmy Choo, Burberry , Tiffany’s and many others. A stark reminder that times move on and that Prague is now a thriving modern European city. Before you start to won-


der whether you have in- advertently stumbled into a travel feature, I must mention that this is a city of culture like few others. Mozart was performed on the organ of the magnifi- cent St Nicholas’ Church and just around the cor- ner from this is the house that was the home, 100 years ago, of one of the giants of 20th-century lit- erature, Franz Kafka. Most evident of all is


the veneration of its two musical giants – Dvo ák and Smetana (it is impos- sible to walk the banks of the Vltava river that flows through the centre with- out the famous strains of his tone poem Vltava ringing in the head) – both have halls named af- ter them. Surrounded by so much culture it is impossible to resist a visit to one of its three major opera houses. The Prague State Opera


has quite a history. Per- formers appearing in its chocolate box hall have included Mahler, Richard Strauss and Enrico Ca- ruso.


Opera is clearly thriv-


ing in these parts and the audience at La Traviata was an enthusiastic and pleasingly young one (all dressed up for the occa- sion). The performance was enjoyable though produc- tion values and some of the playing were not of the quality of the Welsh National Opera (WNO) (we really are quite spoilt in this country). This was all brought home to me on my return when I went directly to The Millennium Centre for the opening of the spring season there – a showcase for the WNO’s chorus entitled,


you


guessed it, Chorus! Some have criticised


this as a cost-cutting and populist exercise. On the whole, I loved it – though maybe not the fact that the drinks cost double of those in Prague. We have a lot to be thankful for – roll on to- night’s The Magic Flute.


THE International Concert Series continues at St David’s Hall with the sensationalArmonico Consort featuring one of the most exciting talents in British classical music. Armonico Consort will make their first visit to the National Concert Hall of Wales tonight with a breathtaking programme of Vivaldi played by violin solo- ist Nicola Benedetti. At the age of just 16, she won the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. Since then, she has established herself as one of the most sought after violinists of her generation. Her ability to enchant audiences with her innate musicianship and dynamic presence has made her one of today’s most influential classical artists. Directed by the acclaimed Chris- topher Monks, Armonico Consort consistently delight audiences with their fresh, youthful perfor- mances of Baroque music. This Vivaldi concert promises to


be full of the life and vigourwhich set alight 18th century Venice, and continues to captivate classical crowds. Experience the grandeur of Beatus Vir and Concert in D, Grosso Mogul. Plus, there’s the in- tense drama of The Four Seasons. Also, there will be an insight-


ful free pre-concert talk entitled Baroque Up Close about Vivaldi led by Cardiff University School of Music’s Simone Laghi from 6.30pm-7pm at the venue’s Lefel 1. The International Concert Se-


ries offers performances of clas- sical music from the world’s best orchestras. Experience the thrill of the amazing Armonico Con- sort live in one of Europe’s finest acoustic venues at the National Concert Hall of Wales. Tickets are priced £20 (plus a


£2.95 ticket service charge per transaction). To book your seats, please visit www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk or call the Box Office on 029 2087 8444.


You’re in for a treat this spring


A SEASON of enchantment and delight is on offer from Welsh National Opera (WNO) this spring with a trio of spell- binding productions which will come to The Bristol Hippo- drome from April 8 to 11. Spellbound is the theme for spring, which will highlight the natural affinity between mu- sic and magic with revivals of Hansel & Gretel and The Magic Flute alongside a new produc- tion, Chorus! The original concept of Cho-


rus! was conceived byWNOand directed by David Pountney in 2004. This new version is also under the creative vision and direction of David Pountney and celebrates one of WNO’s greatest assets, the chorus. Cho- rus! will feature soprano Lesley Garrett performing alongside theWNOchorus, and will be an enchanting, witty and spectac- ular journey through the rich repertoire of choral music and a chance to experience some of opera’s best-loved moments. Chorus! will include opera classics such as the Humming Chorus from Puccini’s Madama Butterly and Va Pensiero from Verdi’s Nabucco. More information available at wno.org.uk/spellbound


5 Culture


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