Prague - Karel Čapek's philosophical play Věc Makropulos (The Makropulos Affair) about the desire to be immortal and all the fears related to it inspired Czech composer Leoš Janáček to stage it as an opera of the same name.
In cooperation with the English National Opera headed by US director Christopher Alden, the Czech National Theatre premiered the not so-much-known-opera in the country in December.
Alden is famous for his non-conventional approoach to traditional arts and the National Theatre's monthly magazine describes director Alden this way: "His use of overt sexuality, brutal violence and over-the-top, satirical humor has soured his relationship with conservative patrons."
To live or not to live
The story of an astonishingly beautiful diva Emilia Marty conquering any man's heart she desires, regardless of her advanced age - 337 years, could hardly go without some love scenes.
But the biggest desire Emilia has is to die. Just like Virginia Woolf's Orlando, she sees no reason why to go on forever. Passion stops being passion for her and after all, she has seen it all before.
The question that has bugged numerous philosophers for centuries whether there is a reason to live forever gets a clear answer in the opera. But it is better not to have any illusions.
Great success
The young German soprano Gun-Brit Barkmin has won great acclaim for her roles ranging from Mozart, Puccini and Britten. In the role of Emilia Marty she proved her ability to surprise the audience with the unexpected power of her otherwise light and soft soprano.
The Makropulos Affair will please those who love Janáček and do not get to see this opera staged in Czech theatres very often. And those who do not know much about Janáček but always wanted to, this piece is good enough to get introduced to one of the most acclaimed Czech composers.
The opera's premieres on December 18 and 19 were a great success, being sold out on both days. There are only three more performances - January 17, February 1 and 21.
