Join us for the concert of Ester Pavlů, which is part of events celebrating the year of Bohuslav Martinů in New York. The program includes not only works of Czech composers Antonín Dvořák, Leoš Janáček and Bohuslav Martinů. The evening will be also featuring Vladimír Chmelo, Slovak opera singer and accompanying Czech piano player Ahmad Hedar.
The concert is a part of series of events, organized by Czech Center New York, observing the 80th anniversary of the arrival of the composer Bohuslav Martinů in New York.
You can register here.*
Program:
Leoš Janáček: Moravian Folk Poetry in Songs with vocals & piano accompaniment (medley of 7 songs) Leoš Janáček: Diary of One Who Disappeared Bohuslav Martinů: Opening of the Springs – baritone solo Bohuslav Martinů: Le Noël for solo piano Mikuláš Schneider - Trnavský: Keby som bol vtáčkom (If I Were a Bird), Růžičky (Roses), Nožka (The Little Foot) Antonín Dvořák: Gypsy Songs (medley of 3 songs) Antonín Dvořák: Rusalka - The Water Goblin Antonín Dvořák: Rusalka - Song to the Moon Gejza Dusík: Najkrajší kút (The Most Beautiful Corner)
The Recital is organized in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York, Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago, Consulate General of Slovak Republic in New York, Consulate General of Switzerland in New York, Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association (BBLA), Dvořák American Heritage Association (DAHA), TGM Czech school in Chicago, Chicago Sister Cities International, Czechoslovak Heritage Museum and Czech and Slovak Museum and Library v Cedar Rapids.
*Entrance free after registration. All attendees are required to present proof of vaccination in compliance with the New York State government. Attendees are required to follow all Bohemian National Hall safety protocols, including wearing masks during the program and observing social distancing rules. Registration does not guarantee entry. Capacity will be limited and attendees will be let in on a space-available basis throughout the evening.
A graduate of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, mezzosoprano Ester Pavlů was introduced as Fenena in Jose Cura’s 2017 production of Verdi’s Nabucco at the National Theatre in Prague. Pavlů portrayed the Old Woman in the world premiere of Martinů’s What Men Live By, which received the Anděl award for best classical recording of 2018. In 2019, she joined a triumphant UK tour of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 with the FOK Prague Symphonic Orchestra, and received a standing ovation as Cinderella in Rossini's Cenerentola. This year she excelled in Dvořák’s Rusalka, singing both the Foreign Princess and Witch.
In the 2021/2022 season, Ester Pavlů will appear as Carmen in the same-name Bizet's opera or as The Queen in Weinberger's Schwanda the Bagpiper at the Prague National Theatre; a year later she will sing Santuzza in Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana.
Vladimír Chmelo is a Slovak baritone and interpreter of the Italian, Czech and Russian repertoire. He has performed throughout Europe, in Tokyo and in Buenos Aires and, from 2009-2015 also at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. His portfolio of leading roles reveals his versatility, from Macbeth, Rigoletto and Germont to Toreador, Hamlet and Onegin. He has worked with renowned conductors, directors, singers and pianists, including Boulez, Rattle, Szoltes, Fleming, Netrebko, Domingo and many more. Chmelo is also active as a teacher (counting Ester Pavlů among his students) and established the Prague Musical Institute which holds summer singing courses in the city of Český Krumlov.
Ahmad Hedar is a leading Czech pianist, vocal coach and singer. He studied at the Prague HAMU. His musicality has made him a sought-after accompanist to many prominent singers. Through Run OpeRun, an organization he works closely with to make opera accessible to new audiences, Hedar has led the musical production of the Magic Flute (2016), Marriage of Figaro (2017), Rusalka (2020), and La Traviata (2021), all on the site of the former Stalin monument in Prague. In 2019, Hedar earned a fellowship at the prestigious Bayreuth festival. Since then he has been teaching at the Jan Deyl Conservatory in Prague.
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