I. CONCERT OF SEASON 2023

ABOUT THE CONCERT

Tristan and Isolde (Tristan und Isolde) is an opera in three acts, but also an all-encompassing artistic masterpiece by Richard Wagner. It was written on the theme of a German libretto by the composer himself. Thanks to its original and unexpected harmonic connections and instrumentation, Tristan and Isolde is often hailed as a pivotal work in the development of Western music. Wagner adopts harmonic delays throughout the opera and its tonality of had a huge impact on Western classical music, influencing a great many other composers including Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss. Its use of orchestral colour would later also exert an influence on film music. 

Richard Strauss first picked up the conductor's baton at the Berlin Court Opera on 5th November 1898, and decided on a performance of Richard Wagner's Tristan und Isolde. Strauss, however was not merely a conductor but also, as is well documented, a phenomenal composer, who garnered recognition in particular for his symphonic poems and operas. He received his basic musical training from his father and wrote his first piece at six years of age. From this time until his death he composed almost continuously. Among his best-known compositions are the symphonic poems Don Juan and Thus Spoke Zarathustra written in his most prolific years. And it is with these pieces that the Czech National Symphony Orchestra will open the new season of its subscription series.

PROGRAM

Richard Wagner – 
Prelude and Liebestod  from the opera Tristan  und Isolde
Richard Strauss – Don Juan Op. 20, Symphonic Poem
Richard Strauss – Also sprach Zarathustra Op. 30

PERFORMERS

Czech National Symphony Orchestra
Steven Mercurio conductor

CNSO - Czech National Symphony Orchestra

Performing and continuously growing for 26 years, the CNSO has earned an enviable reputation among both Czech and Europe’s top symphonic ensembles. Renowned for its versatility, the orchestra annually presents a broad programme ranging from classical music concerts to contemporary genres, film scores, jazz and musicals.

Composers, conductors, and performers such as Ennio Morricone, Lalo Schifrin, James Morrison, Branford & Wynton Marsalis, Pino Donnagio, Giuliano Taviani, José Carreras, Danny Elfman, Vince Mendoza, Giuseppe Tornatore, Carl Davis, Steven Mercurio, Marcello Rota, Christian Lindberg, Chick Corea, Vladimir Cosma repeatedly come back to Prague to either record with the orchestra or perform in the beautiful Smetana Hall at Prague’s Municipal House, the home concert stage of the orchestra. Highlights from recent concert seasons include a European tour with the legendary Ennio Morricone, and a Prague concert with Anna Netrebko.

Successful tours have taken place over the British Isles, USA, Canada, France, Spain, Dubai, Japan, Mexico, China, Korea, Oman, Australia and New Zealand.