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Symphony Concert

Glagolitische Messe

Metallic luster, organ power, and Slavic language
© Juris Zigelis

05/20

Thursday | 05/20/2027
7:00 pm Start of Concert
Kulturpalast, Konzertsaal

Prices
from 64 | 53 | 45 | 39 | 29 | 22 €
FLEX fee + 6 €
Reduced prices:
from € 10 for pupils under 18 
from €10 for young people under 30
from 11 € for Dresden-Pass and SB from GdB 80
Who receives discounts? Read here.

About the Concert

The establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918 was not only a strong sign for democracy in Europe, but also brought new impulses to the music in our neighboring country. Full of national pride, Leoš Janáček composed a "Sinfonietta" for his hometown Brno and the new state in 1926, for many Czechs it is almost like a second national anthem today. Impressive is already the beginning, which requires a whopping 14 trumpets, along with four trombones and three tubas. Proud of his Slavic roots, Janáček was also inspired to compose his "Glagolitic Mass", as its text is not the usual Latin, but an early form of the Czech language, the Old Church Slavonic. Unusual for a mass is also that it was not composed for church use, but rather as a celebration of nature, humanity, and primal force more suited for the concert hall. Nevertheless, the organ plays an outstanding role, its part is highly virtuosic and will be performed by our palace organist Iveta Apkalna.

In Zusammenarbeit mit der Janáček Philharmonie Ostrava 100 Jahre Uraufführung der >Glagolitischen Messe< 1927

Programme

Leoš Janáček
Sinfonietta op. 60
Glagolitic Mass ("Glagolská mse")

Artists

David Robertson
Dirigent
Katerina Knìžíková
Soprano
Lucie Hilscherová
Alto
Pavol Breslik
Tenor
Jan Martiník
Bass
Iveta Apkalna
Organ
Blechbläser aus der Janácek Philharmonie Ostrava
Ensemble
Prager Philharmonischer Chor
Dresdner Philharmonie

Biographies

David Robertson

David Robertson – conductor, composer, artist, thinker, and American musical visionary – occupies some of the most prominent platforms on the international music scene.  A highly sought-after podium figure in the worlds of opera, orchestral music, and new music, Robertson is celebrated worldwide as a champion of contemporary composers, an ingenious and adventurous programmer, and a masterful communicator whose passionate advocacy for the art form is widely recognized.  A consummate and deeply collaborative musician, Robertson is hailed for his intensely committed music making.

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Katerina Knìžíková

With her dark-timbre yet crystal-clear soprano voice, Kateřina Kněžíková has made a name for herself as one of the leading artists of the Czech Republic. She performs regularly in all Czech and Slovak opera houses as well as throughout much of Europe. In addition to opera roles such as Janáček's Jenufa, Dvořák's Rusalka and Verdi's Gilda, she also has numerous works for the concert stage in her repertoire and made her debut at New York's Carnegie Hall in 2024 with Janáček's "Glagolitic Mass".

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Lucie Hilscherová

Mezzo-soprano Lucie Hilscherová comes from Czechia and has been a sought-after performer on concert and opera stages in her home country and far beyond for many years. She has performed in Tokyo and New York and has worked with conductors such as Jiří Bělohlávek, Semyon Bychkov, Christoph Eschenbach and Cornelius Meister. Her concert repertoire includes Beethoven's "Missa solemnis" as well as the mezzo parts in Mahler's Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3.

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Pavol Breslik

Tenor Pavol Breslik comes from Bratislava and began his career as a member of the ensemble at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and the Zurich Opera House. Since 2018, he has been travelling around the world as a freelance singer, performing at renowned venues. His most recent engagements include the title role in "Lohengrin" at the Dresden Semperoper, Matteo in "Arabella" at the New York Met and Tamino in "The Magic Flute" at the Vienna State Opera.

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Iveta Apkalna

Latvian organist Iveta Apkalna is an outstanding artist who combines virtuosity, stylistic understanding, and emotional depth in her playing. In the 2026/27 season, she is once again the Palastorganistin at the Kulturpalast. Her international performances with and without orchestra regularly include world premieres of works dedicated to her that significantly expand the organ repertoire. Numerous awards and recordings testify to her great importance in the music world.

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Prager Philharmonischer Chor

The Prague Philharmonic Choir was founded 90 years ago, making it the oldest professional choir in the Czech Republic. It performs frequently in its home country with local orchestras, but also in other European countries as a sought-after musical partner of renowned ensembles. For example, the choir has been Choir in Residence at the Bregenz Festival since 2010. Its discography has won numerous awards and continues to grow steadily.

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Dresdner Philharmonie

Top Class!

Top class! That is the claim of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra stands for concerts at the highest artistic level, musical education for all ages and looking beyond the musical horizon. Guest performances on almost every continent and collaborations with guests from all over the world have established the reputation of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra in the international classical music world.  

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