GRAMOPHONE EDITOR'S CHOICE

The new studio recording of Leoš Janáček’s opera The Excursions of Mr. Brouček, made by distinguished soloists, chorus and orchestra of the Prague National Theatre conducted by Jaroslav Kyzlink, has received a wonderful review togerher with the Editor's Choice in the September issue of Gramophone magazine!

"Orchestrally, Supraphon conductor Jaroslav Kyzlink better projects the opera’s more spontaneous, chaotic moments than the BBC Symphony and finds more meaning in the details. The two casts are evenly matched. DG’s Maria Haan has a vocal lustre that gives her portrayal of Etherea an edge, while Supraphon’s Aleš Briscein (in three roles but particularly Blankytný) has excellent text articulation and a thrilling voice. As for the Broučeks, it’s hard to say what makes a good one because never has a title-role been so easily lost in the crowd. In contrast to Mackerras’s pugnacious but effective Gregory Dempsey, the more hapless Czech counterparts distinguish themselves in different ways: Jan Vacík (DG) tends to sing the role sometimes mellifluously but I prefer (though not by much) Jaroslav Březina’s more declaimed approach on Supraphon for his dramatic commitment and ability to find meaning in a single note. Both sets are well recorded – the Supraphon less airy, revealing more grit – but are likely to leave listeners happily bewildered in equal measure."

Read the full review HERE.