30th October

Concert will begin at 13:00 hours GMT

Archival recording: Janácek's 'The Adventures of Mr. Broucek' with Vacik, Straka, Haan and Janal from London

Janácek's 'The Adventures of Mr. Broucek' is an opera based on two Svatopluk Cech novels. The librettists for Part 1 were František Gellner, Viktor Dyk, František Sarafínský Procházka and others, while Part 2 was written by F. S. Procházka. Mr. Brou?ek (translated as “Mr. Beetle” (literally little beetle)) is a Philistine landlord in Prague who experiences a series of fantastic events as he is swept away (due in large part to excessive drinking) first to the moon and then to 15th-century Prague, during the Hussite uprising against the Holy Roman Empire in 1420 (see Synopsis). In both excursions, Broucek encounters characters who are transformed versions of his earthly acquaintances. Performers:

Jan Vacik: Mr Broucek.
Peter Straka: Mazal/Ethereal/Kunka.
Maria Haan: Malinka/Etherea/Kunka.
Roman Janal: Sacristan, Lunobor, Domsik.
Zdenek Plech: Wurfl/Caroskvouci/Councillor.
Ivan Kusnjer: The apparition of Svatopluk/Second Taborite.
Lenka Smidova: Housekeeper/Kedruta.
Martina Bauerova: Young Waiter/Child Prodigy/Student.
Jaroslav Brezina: Painter/Duhoslav/Vojta from the Peacocks/Voice of the Professor.
Ales Briscein: Composer/Harfoboboj/Miroslav the goldsmith.
Vaclav Sibera: Poet [Prague]/Oblacny/Vacek Bradaty.
Edward Goater: Poet.
Christopher Bowen: Another Poet.
Charles Gibbs: First Taborite.

BBC Singers. BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Jiri Belohlávek.

Recorded in 2007.