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.
Lent period in Baroque Prague
F. I. A Tůma, A. Caldara, A. Lotti, G. Jacob etc.
Before Easter, the quires of Prague’s churches resounded with a large number of works by both domestic and foreign composers connected to Prague. We chose mainly two magnificent Stabat Mater (F. I. A. Tůma, A. Caldara), but also smaller, remarkable and almost unknown works by Czech Baroque authors.
Cast: 4/8/12 singers, 2 violins, viola, trombone, cello, double bass, organ/ harpsichord
Programme duration: 70 minutes
Leçons de Ténèbres
François Couperin
Lessons of darkness was written in three parts by Couperin as liturgical music for Easter Wednesday. This liturgy began at night within the light of fifteen candles which were gradually extinguished. The texts are the Old Testament lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah over the captured and ravaged Jerusalem, being at the same time lamentations for the crucified Jesus in a transferred meaning. This sacred composition captures the last years of the reign of Louis XIV. in whose court the composer dwelled for his entire life. If an occasion arises it is possible to add instrumental compositions or a spoken word of a clergyman.
Cast: Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, Zuzana Barochová | soprano, viola da gamba, theorbo, harpsichord/ organ
Programme duration: 60 minutes