The vocal and instrumental
Victoria Ensemble
is focused mainly on early music.
Victoria Ensemble society runs also international vocal music festival
Voices of three worlds and other musical activities of Viktorie Kaplanová.

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Italian opera in Mozart's Prague

J. G. Naumann, P. Anfossi, F. Zannetti, G. Gazzaniga, D. Cimarosa etc.

In 1750s the impresario of Prague Kotzen Theatre was G.B. Locatelli. Thanks to his taste and abilities the thrilled Prague audience had an opportunity to hear the greatest opera hits of all Europe performed by the top Italian singers. This programme presents the rich world of Italian opera. Selected arias of various characters come from operas that were performed on the stage of Kotzen, Thun or Nostic theatre from 1750s to 1790s. We present most of them in contemporary world premieres.

Cast: Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, 5 violins, 3 violas, 2 horns, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, cello, double bass, harpsichord (or fortepiano), conductor

Programme duration: 60 minutes

Opera and chamber music

Pearls of Baroque opera

A. Vivaldi, N. Porpora, G. Bononcini etc.

Here we present a selection of Italian operas by most important Baroque composers accompanied by a harpsichord virtuoso. These are lyrical and coloratura arias for soprano, alto arias (which at their time belonged mainly to castrates) and also beautiful love duets.

Cast: Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, Anna Moriová | mezzosoprano, Ondřej Bernovský | harpsichord

Programme duration: 60 minutes

Opera and chamber music

Around Baroque Europe

 J. S. Bach. F. Corradini, M. Lambert etc.

Chamber music of the whole baroque Europe – cantatas, songs, airs and duets of the prominent Italian, German, English, Spanish and French composers celebrating love and nature above all.

Cast: Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, Ondřej Holub | tenore, recorder, violin, viola da gamba, basson, harpsichord

Programme duration: 60 min

Opera and chamber music

Italian Baroque Cantata

G. Carissimi, A. Scarlatti, G. F. Händel

The pillars of our programme are three extensive secular cantatas of the various eras of the baroque period, two of which represent the tragic stories of strong women – Mary Stuart (G. Carissimi) and Lucrezia of Rome (A. Scarlatti). The third one is a lyric contemplation of nature, hope and love. It is recommended to project subtitles during this show. It is also possible to add live videomapping.

Cast: Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, Filip Dvořák | harpsichord

Programme duration: 60 minutes

Opera and chamber music

Echoes of the Past in Contemporary Music

K. Horká, J. Vičar, L. Matoušek, C. Monteverdi, B. Strozzi

This interesting programme offers a unique insight into the music of contemporary Czech composers who where inspired by early music. That we can hear in their secular and sacred duets for soprano, alto and chamber instrumental ensemble. As a convenient contrast we presents compositions by Barbara Strozzi and Claudio Monteverdi. Concert is played on period instruments or their copies in ancient tuning.  

Cast:  Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, alto, Jana Vavřínková | viola, Balázs Adorján | viola da gamba, Jan Hajič | harpsichord

Programme duration: 60 min

Opera and chamber music

Love lyric in Baroque music and Hebrew melodies

G. Frescobaldi, B. Strozzi,  I. Nathaan etc.

The soprano Viktorie Kaplanová and harpsichordist Filip Dvořák perform charming songs, madrigals and cantatas from all the Italian Baroque period. The love lyricism of these pieces is complemented by the poetry of George Gordon Byron, who in 1815 provided the words for Hebrew Melodies by the Anglo-Jewish composer Isaac Nathan.

Cast: Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, Filip Dvořák | harpsichord

Opera and chamber music

Bohuslav & Vita

B. Martinů, V. Kaprálová, T. Švarcová

Love, war and death, but also hope and euphoric joy. Viktorie Kaplanová’s exclusive project presents musical drama directed by Adam Rut, which shows relationship between two great composers of the 20th century – Vítězslava Kaprálová and Bohuslav Martinů. This costumed performance with minimal scenography presents unique programme, consisting of classical songs and piano works by both composers and their correspondence as well. The prologue is a art song duet for soprano and baritone by contemporary composer Terezie Švarcová, composed especially for our project. For this programme is piano needed. We offer it with English subtitles.

Cast:  Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, Roman Janál | baritone, Vojtěch Červenka | piano

Programme duration: 60 min


Opera and chamber music

The Story of the French Chanson

C. Janequin, M. Lambert, E. Piaf, J. Brel atd.

The new crossover, in which Viktorie Kaplanová once again collaborates with harpsichordist Filip Dvořák, is a project connecting French music of the 15th to 17th  centuries with popular chansons of the

mid-20th  century (Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, etc.). We find ourselves in a completely new world without borders, where renaissance chanson, ancient French court “air de court” and jazz are heard.

Cast: Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, Filip Dvořák | harpsichord

 

Opera and chamber music

Folk Poetry in Songs

L. Janáček, B. Martinů, S. Bodorová, B. Britten

Viktorie Kaplanová’s new solo program with harp accompaniment presents folk poetry in a beautiful classical song treatment by composers of the 20th and 21th centuries. Our program includes iconic arrangements by Janáček, song cycles based on folk poetry by Bohuslav Martinů or the beautiful piece by contemporary composer Sylvia Bodorová for soprano and harp. As a contrast to the folklore of Slovakia, Bohemia and Moravia, we also present adaptations of French and Irish folk songs by British composer Benjamin Britten.

Cast: Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, Hedvika Mousa Bacha | harp

 

Opera and chamber music

Too hot to Händel: KaplanSynthetic

Georg Friendrich Händel: Mesiáš, Rinaldo, Vodní hudba ad.

The husband and wife duo of Viktorie Kaplanová and Kryštof Kaplan comes up with an innovative project connecting baroque and electronic music. Well-known arias from the operas and oratorios of Georg Friedrich Händel will be heard with a thoughtful accompaniment of synthesizers, instead of the expected ensemble of period instruments. The vocal pieces are heard together with original interpretations of Händel’s instrumental works. This is the only act of its kind in the world. The project can be presented with other guests: with a jazz drummer, a baroque organist etc.

Cast: Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, Kryštof Kaplan | soundstation

Opera and chamber music