Tomáš Hanzlík (*1972), Vít Zouhar (*1966): La Dafne
There, where the old joins with the new, a laurel bush grows.
Libretto: Ottavio Rinuccini, Rocc
Author: Tomáš Hanzlík, Vít Zouhar
Conductor: Ondrej Olos
Director: Rocc
Set Design: Rocc
Costume Design: Rocc, Vendula Johnová
Movement Collaboration: Štefan Capko
Assistant Stage Director: Otakar Blaha
Dramaturgy: Jakub Kruliš
Theorba - Jan Čižmář, Marek Kubát, Richard Závada
Violoncello - Josef Klíč
Positive Organ - Ondrej Olos
La Dafne is widely regarded as the first opera in history. It was created in 1598 in Florence with a group of artists who met in the Palace of Count Jacopo Corsi. Only a few fragments of the original music by Jacopo Peri and Jacopo Corsi have survived, however the complete libretto has survived. Composers Vít Zouhar and Tomáš Hanzlík and director and designer Rocc attempted to make a loose reworking of this first operatic work. The unusual stage setup in the Mozart Hall of the Reduta Theatre is accompanied by candlelight. The musical accompaniment is composed of three instruments – Theorba, Violoncello and Positive Organ.
The singers move around amongst the audience and the overall concept of the production is closely linked to the opera performances that took place in the palaces of the nobility during the Baroque period. However, it is not about the historical authenticity of this work, but rather a modern reflection of this forgotten phenomenon.
