THE CZECH PHILHARMONIC WITH MANFRED HONECK

On 25th January 2017 (and in subsequent performances of 26th and 27th January), the Czech Philharmonic introduced the Epic of Gilgamesh by Bohuslav Martinů in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolphinum. Within these three concerts, a recording was made for the Supraphon publishing house that will appear in autumn 2017 as the very first recording of Martinů’s original version sung in English.
Outstanding musicians took part in this rendition of the work conceived for a narrator, vocal soloists, choir and orchestra: the British soprano Lucy Crowe, the British tenor Andrew Staples, the Czech basso Jan Martiník, the Australian baritone Derek Welton and the Prague Philharmonic Choir prepared by the choirmaster Lukáš Vasilek. The British actor and director Simon Callow took on the role of the narrator. Both the concerts and the recording were made in collaboration with the Bohuslav Martinů Foundation and using the critical edition of the score published by the Bohuslav Martinů Institute.