Album

Ivan Kusnjer

Czech Opera Rarities

Catalogue Number: SU 4074-2
Published: 11th November 2011
Genre: Opera
Format: 1 CD
Baritone arias from lesser-known Czech operas: J. Mysliveček - Abramo e Isacco, J. L. Zvonař - Záboj, F. Z. Skuherský - Lóra, K. Šebor - The Templars in Moravia, B. Smetana - The Brandenburgers in Bohemia, A. Dvořák - Vanda, J. R. Rozkošný - The Rapids of Saint John, K. Bendl: Lejla, E. Nápravník - Dubrovsky, J. B. Foerster - Jessika, O. Ostrčil - The Death of Vlasta, Z. Fibich - Hedy, J. Pauer - Zuzana Vojířová, V. Novák - Karlštejn

Ivan Kusnjer - baritone. Czechoslovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, National Theatre Orchestra and Chorus, etc.; conductors: Libor Pešek, Josef Chaloupka, etc.

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.

Baritone arias from lesser-known Czech operas masterfully performed by Ivan Kusnjer.
Ivan Kusnjer unveils the world of little known Czech operas!
Josef Mysliveček
Abramo ed Isacco. Oratorio in 2 Parts
1. Act 1 "Siam passegieri erranti" 05:21
Josef Leopold Zvonař
Záboj. Opera
2. Act 1 "A mlčel k tomu bohů hněv" 07:31
František Zdeněk Skuherský
Lora. Opera
3. Act 1 "Aj hle, k tmavému nábřeží" 03:22
Karel Šebor
The Templars in Moravia. Opera
4. Act 1 "V slunci lásky jsem se zhlížel - Zprávu ti přináším" 07:34
Bedřich Smetana
The Brandenburgers in Bohemia. Opera in 3 Acts
5. Act 3: Tausendmark Aria 03:10
Antonín Dvořák
Vanda. Opera in 5 Acts, Op. 25
6. Act 2 "Přichází v šraňky - Hory, kde les vroubí zelený" 05:18
Josef Richard Rozkošný
The Rapids of Saint John (St.Johannes Stromschnellen)
7. Act 1 "Anděli jasný, z krajů tajemných" 07:23
Karel Bendl
Lejla. Opera
8. Act 3 "Ó ještě čekat - V líbezném klínu" 03:13
Eduard Nápravník
Dubrovsky. Opera
9. Act 1 "Kdo věřil by" 05:24
Josef Bohuslav Foerster
Jessika. The Opera, Op. 60
10. Act 1 "Ó lásko, zdroji žití" 03:41
Otakar Ostrčil
The Death of Vlasta. Opera
11. Act 2 "Šum háje, jara vonný dech" 04:50
Zdeněk Fibich
Hedy. Opera in 3 acts, Op. 43
12. Act 3 "Jsem-li hříčka v moci pekla" 06:27
Jiří Pauer
Zuzana Vojířová. Opera
13. Scene 2 "A co je nového - Láska k životu" 05:08
Vítězslav Novák
Karlštejn. Opera
14. Act 3 "Je-li nutno, pane vévodo - Svatý Václave" 07:49