Czech Opera Rarities Ivan Kusnjer

Dvorak, Antonin, Myslivecek, Josef, Smetana, Bedrich

Chaloupka, Josef, Czechoslovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Kusnjer, Ivan, Pešek, Libor

SU 4074-2

Ivan Kusnjer has rightly been awarded the title of "King of Czech Singers" by the music critics. The fruits of his single-minded work are worthy of admiration: successes at international voice competitions, guest appearances on opera stages worldwide (Berliner Staatsoper, Wiener Staatsoper, Teatro la Fenice, La Scala, Teatro Real, Théâtre Châtelet, Opéra-Bastille, etc.) and in prestigious concert halls (Albert Hall, Barbican, Carnegie Hall, Suntory Hall), collaboration with renowned conductors (Mackerras, Albrecht, Harnoncourt, Gardiner, Pešek, Kout, Bělohlávek, etc.), the remarkable range of operatic roles he has portrayed (primarily for the National Theatre in Prague), songs and cantatas he has performed, as well as numerous accolades he has received (the 2001 Gustav Mahler European Prize, three Thalia Awards)... A special chapter is Ivan Kusnjer's keen interest in lesser-known Czech operas. Works linked with the time of their origin only rarely pass the test of time. Yet the carefully prepared selection on this album indicates just how much interesting music remains in the archives, and the recording is hence a must for all opera lovers. The CD comprises previously unreleased arias, as masterfully performed by Ivan Kusnjer.

Works:
• Bendl: Ó ještě čekat...V líbezném klínu (from Lejla)
• Dvořák: Přichází v šraňky...Hory, kde les vroubí zelený (from Vanda)
• Fibich: Jsem-li hříčka v moci pekla (from Hedy)
• Foerster, J: O lásko, zdroji žití (from Jessika)
• Myslivecek: Siam passegieri erranti (from Abramo e Isaco)
• Nápravník: Kdo věřil by (from Dubrovskij)
• Novák, V: Je-li nutno, pane vévodo...Svatý Václave (from Karlštejn)
• Ostrčil: Šum háje, jara vonný dech (from The Death of Vlasta)
• Pauer, J: A co je nového...Láska k životu (from Zuzana Vojířová)
• Rozkošný: Anděli jasný, z krajů tajemných (from The Rapids of Saint John)
• Šebor: V slunci lásky jsem se zhlížel...Zprávu ti přináším (from The Templars in Moravia)
• Skuherský: Aj hle, k tmavému nábřeží (from Lora)
• Smetana: Tvůj obraz, dívko (from Branibori v Cecháach)
• Zvonař: A mlčel k tomu bohů hněv (from Záboj)

CD x 1

Supraphon

2012-02-13

099925407421