Of the funeral masses by Romantic composers, those written by Verdi and Brahms are undoubtedly the best known. Antonín Dvořák’s Requiem, composed in 1890 in the final, most successful period of his career crowned by the New World Symphony, is less often heard but still represents a distinctive splash of colour amid the oratorical works of the 19th century. We can hear this beautiful composition performed under the baton of Tomáš Netopil, an outstanding interpreter of Dvořák, and Czech music in general. Having spent three years as music director of the Prague National Theatre, Netopil made his debut at the Vienna State Opera in the 2014/15 season with Dvořák’s Rusalka, while also conducting Janáček’s opera The Cunning Little Vixen at the Saxon State Opera in Dresden. His recordings of the orchestral works of the latter composer have featured among the recommendations of the UK’s Gramophone magazine.
The soloists for this requiem, which draws on the rich treasure of Czech melodies, belong among the international vanguard. Slovakia’s Simona Šaturová is much sought-after as an oratorio singer, while the Czech Veronika Hajnová is a soloist with the Prague National Theatre. Besides being an accomplished clarinettist, Szabolcs Brickner is one of the finest young Hungarian tenors, while Miklós Sebestyén, who has rarely been heard at home lately due to his studies and performances abroad, made his debut at the Met in New York in December 2012.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest