An extraordinary recording of Smetana’s Libuše from the Prague Spring Festival is being released on an album featuring Kateřina Kněžíková, the Czech Philharmonic, and Jakub Hrůša

Bedřich Smetana composed Libuše as a festive opera intended for exceptional national occasions. Although it is firmly rooted in Czech history and tradition, its themes transcend the era of its creation. The story of the quest for justice, responsible leadership of society, and overcoming personal conflicts for the greater good remains relevant even more than a century after the composer’s death.

“Smetana truly incorporated some of the very best he was capable of creating into the score. In this sense, Libuše is one of his masterpieces. Alongside its monumentality, it features full-blooded, dramatic operatic music that I would, without hesitation, rank among the very best composed in European opera culture at that time –relatively shortly after the mid-19th century,” said Jakub Hrůša.

The title role is sung by soprano Kateřina Kněžíková, whose interpretation combines the solemn grandeur of Princess Libuše with the humanity and emotional depth of this legendary character. Joining her are Adam Plachetka as Přemysl, Alžběta Poláčková as Krasava, Martin Bárta as Chrudoš, Jan Šťáva as Lutobor, Richard Samek as Šťáhlav, Jiří Brückler as Radovan, and Václava Krejčí Housková as Radmila.

“Libuše makes difficult decisions with humanity, not by force, and that’s what I love so much about this character. She isn’t hot-tempered or explosive; she makes wise decisions, and even calmly, even though she’s seething inside. I wanted to portray Libuše as a wise woman of flesh and blood who, even in the most difficult moments, does not lose herself and makes just decisions – not merely as a ruler whom most look up to,” explains Kateřina Kněžíková.

In his interpretation, conductor Jakub Hrůša focuses not only on the solemn and monumental dimension of Smetana’s score, but also on its richness of color, subtle psychological nuances, and dramatic tension. Under his baton, the Czech Philharmonic creates a compelling musical arc leading from the opening conflict through reconciliation to Libuše’s final prophecy, one of the most famous scenes in Czech opera. The recording also features the Prague Philharmonic Choir, prepared by choirmaster Lukáš Vasilek, whose performance lends the work the necessary solemnity and dramatic power.

The recording was made in May 2024 during concerts as part of the Prague Spring International Music Festival, as part of the Smetana200 project.

“It’s wonderful that one of the most moving musical moments of the Prague Spring Festival 2024 – and I dare say, one of the most important projects of the Year of Czech Music – is finally being released on an audio recording. Two powerful icons of Czech culture – the Prague Spring Festival and the Czech Philharmonic – have joined forces here in collaboration with the outstanding conductor Jakub Hrůša and a superb cast of singers led by Kateřina Kněžíková. I wish the opera Libuše the success it deserves, and I’m glad that, along with this recording, a bit of the extraordinary atmosphere of the Prague Spring Festival concerts will reach listeners,” says Robert Hanč, director of the Prague Spring Festival.

The triple album Libuše will be released by Supraphon on September 18, 2026, on physical media and in all digital formats.