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.
Rococo Opera in Prague Kotzen Theatre
Ch. W. Gluck, A. Rutini, F. Zoppis, D. Fischietti, B. Galuppi 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. A variety of arias and duets from serious and comic operas are here presented in contemporary world premieres.
Cast: Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, Monika Jägerová | alto, Jaromír Nosek | basso
two oboes, two horns, two violins, viola, violoncello, bassoon, double bass, harpsichord
Programme duration: 60 minutes
Italian opera in Mozart's Prague
J. G. Naumann, P. Anfossi, F. Zannetti, G. Gazzaniga, D. Cimarosa etc.
This programme presents the rich world of Italian opera, specifically the genre of the opera buffa (or dramma giocoso). Selected arias of various characters come from operas that were mostly performed on the stage of Thun or Nostic theatre in the 1780s and 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)
Programme duration: 60 minutes
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, bassoon, viola da gamba, harpsichord
Programme duration: 60 min
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. These are lyrical and coloratura arias for soprano, alto arias (which at their time belonged mainly to castrates) and also love duets.
Cast: Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, Monika Jägerová | alto, Ondřej Bernovský/harpsichord
Programme duration: 60 minutes
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
Baroque Italy in arias and songs
B. Strozzi, C. Monteverdi, G. Frescobaldi, G. F. Händel, etc.
This programme presents shorter compositions for soprano and basso continuo. It focuses on early and culminating baroque of the main Italian cultural centres of its age. You can enjoy adorable love songs of the Venice feminine composer Barbara Strozzi and some other compositions of her predecessors and successors.
Cast: Viktorie Kaplanová | soprano, Filip Dvořák | harpsichord, Jakub Michl | viola da gamba