OVERVIEW

Justin Peck (1987), Viktor Konvalinka (1984), Jana Burkiewiczová (1982)

Bohuslav Martinů (1890–1959), Zdeněk Liška (1922–1983), Jaroslav Ježek (1906–1942), Ervín Schulhoff (1894–1942), Jiří Konvalinka (1987)

Vivatperson For it is our Czech music that has given birth to truly world-renowned composers, bohemians, and classical composers whose music serves as the core for an extraordinary project replete with unexpected combinations to please and surprise a diverse audience. The composed evening titled Rhapsodia Bohemica is a powerful fusion of musical styles of five important Czech composers, whose work inspired three significant choreographers of one generation. The first choreography of the production is Heatscape by Justin Peck, Tony Award Winner and leading choreographer, director, and dancer associated with the legendary New York City Ballet company. Heatscape is inspired by the pulsating and diverse Wynwood, the art district of Florida, and its beautiful colourful street murals. Peck created this choreography to music by Bohuslav Martinů, who fled to the US with his wife to escape from the threat of Nazi persecution. The second part of the production is composed of two works created by two prominent personalities of the contemporary Czech dance. Viktor Konvalinka is a dancer, choreographer, co-founder of the DEKKADANCERS group and former first soloist of the Czech National Ballet in Prague. His work The Point of View shows a place where nothing is what it seems. It shows a place where everything might lead to anything in intoxicating and free desire. Why is improvisation not the main subject of our education? Why are we not taught this skill from childhood? Jana Burkiewiczová draws inspiration for her work Ikárie from the Czechoslovak science fiction film Ikarie XB 1. Thanks to this, a visually, musically, and emotionally strong poem of stage came to life. Accompanied by Zdeněk Liška’s and Jiří Kovalinka’s music, the mythological context of Ikárie is accentuated – as a place full of joy, happiness, and harmony.

Premieres on 11 and 13 April 2024 at the Jiří Myron Theatre