The Spirit of Bohemia

Kaprálová Suita RusticaSmetana Má Vlast: Vltava and Šá​rkaPoulenc Stabat MaterAlena Hron ConductorMelody Louledjian SopranoRoyal Liverpool Philharmonic ChoirMatthew Hamilton Director of Choirs and SingingMaking her Liverpool debut, Czech conductor Alena Hron presents pieces from Má Vlast – a cycle of tone poems that evoke the landscape and history of her homeland and its people.

Tonight we'll hear Vltava, inspired by Prague's mighty river, and Šá​rka, an ode to a female warrior of Bohemian legend.

Poulenc, meanwhile, delivers a homage of a different kind – a deeply personal tribute to a friend, masterfully balancing sorrow and serenity in beautiful choral music.

Vítězslava Kaprálová died young, but her music is being rediscovered today, and Suita Rustica is a work that leaves listeners simply breathless.