History

CZECH OPERA PRAGUE
Martin Otava, Artistic Director/Stage Director
Martin Mazik, Conductor


CZECH OPERA PRAGUE, Martin Otava, Artistic Director/Stage Director, is a theater and concert society that collaborates with the best Czech and foreign artists who perform on the leading Prague stages; the National Theater of Prague and the State Opera of Prague. Co-productions are one of the principal interests of the management. For its U.S. debut tour (fall 2005 and Jan. 2006) the Czech Opera Prague collaborated with The Sofia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and dancers of Bulgaria's BALLET ARABESK in presenting J. Strauss popular operetta DIE FLEDERMAUS. Long years of experience have proven that, in Prague, there are costume and stage decor designers who create products of outstanding quality. The lavish production, which had a huge success in the U.S., was designed by Martin Otava, principal stage director of Prague State Opera, and featured soloists of the Prague State Opera in the principal roles. The opera was presented in the original German with English super titles projected above the stage. The Czech artists were highly praised for their correct and accurate pronunciation of the text and for their comedic acting skills. The distinguished conductor for the tour was Martin Mazik, principal conductor of the National Opera of Slovakia, Bratislava.

CZECH OPERA PRAGUE will tour the U.S. again in both fall 2007 and winter 2008 with Lehar's MERRY WIDOW with soloists from Prague State Opera and the U.S.

An operetta is literally a "little opera", originally a play with an overture, songs and dances, but which has evolved into something indistinguishable from opera except for beings set to "light music". Johann Strauss DIE FLEDERMAUS composed in 1874 by the man known as "the waltz king" is the classic example of an OPERETTA!