Hi Dave. Thanx a lot for this wonderful video. One quick remark (that is totally unrelated to the main topic of this video, thb). As everyone knows, it seems that the invention of the word/concept of a “robot” at least in part goes back to Josef Čapek, Karel Čapek's younger brother. Nowadays Josef seems to be the less well-known one of the Čapeks. Which is a unfortunate, to put it mildly. As a visual artist, the man was an absolute genius. His graffitiesque artistic language today looks just as fresh and up-to-date as it did back in the 1920s-'30s. Any child can recognize his paintings within a split of a second. Here we have a level of artistic quality, humanity, interest in the human condition, love and care for humankind, etc., that one does not easily find 20th century' or contemporary art. Sadly. The man was murdered by the Nazis in the Bergen-Belsen contentration camp. He doesn't have a proper grave, for Christ's sake. We don't even the exact date of his death. I urge everyone to Google his name and marvel at the images (and maybe also shed a tear of joy, or two). My apologies for hijacking your comment section. By all means, keep up the good work. Sending you love, hugs and kisses from Leipzig, Germany
Conductor Jose Serebrier has a recording on Reference Records of a suite to this opera that he composed/arranged. The music is very lush and dynamic. It has three movements and is part of a two disc Janacek collection. A very enjoyable recording I believe Dave mentioned and praised in a previous Janacek video.
In fact, if I had to name my five greatest operas of all time, this would be part of the list. It's a perfect opera-thriller, because in the 1st act, one has no idea what's the matter, and then the veil is lifted more and more, whilst the music becomes more and more intense, when the beathless motives are woven together with increasing density. From my grandfather, I had the Kubelik-Decca-recording of the "Sinfonietta" and a vocal score of "Makropulos", which I studied over and over. In Vienna, we had a shop from the communist party , which sold books, scores and LPs from the communist countries. So I bought the Supraphon-discs, when I was 16 or so, and I was overwhelmed. It was the greatest musical impression I had until this time. With 18, we have the final exam from school, the "matura". Just the day before my matura, the opera from Brno came to Vienna with "Makropulos". Well, the exam I could repeat, when I fail, but when would I get the next chance to see "Makropulos". And I went to the performance, the next day I managed the matura, and in the evening I went to the 2nd performance of the opera from Brno, the "Vixen". These have been my first encounters with Janacek's operas. Since then, all of them became vademecums. I love them so much that I have no words to express my emotions and my admiration.
Hi Dave, as a long time Classics Today subscriber, I so enjoy your videos, and was delighted to hear you enthuse over this neglected masterpiece. I lived in Sydney during the 1990s when Opera Australia did a superb Janacek cycle and I was knocked sideways by The Makropulos Case in 1996. Emilia Marty was sung by Marilyn Richardson, one of Australia’s greatest singers, and if my memory serves me right, conducted by Charles Mackerras. It remains one of my most treasured experiences in the theatre. Love “Dave’s Faves” - so many great recordings to revisit. Keep 'em coming!
I was a member of a professional opera chorus for 20 years. We only did Vec Makropulos once, but I remember the experience well, and even though the men-only chorus was limited to a few phrases off-stage in Act III, it remains in my memory as one of the peak experiences in the chorus, simply because the music was so amazing.
I have I my collection the CD you feature in this video, as well as the English version Mackerras conducted with the English National Opera Orchestra. I prefer the former, but perhaps some listeners not familiar with Janacek might find the English version a convenient introduction to his magnificent operatic output. That said, thanks for another wonderful video!
To readers: Mackerras did all the Janacek operas that are together in one DECCA box with a few other items. I purchased the collection in the past under 50 dollars. Years ago I heard Rysanek in Jenufa and I was hooked!!!! Jerel
I've heard from reviews that the set doesn't include librettos with translations. Is that in fact true? It would be more handy to get one box set that has everything, but as long as you can actually understand what they're singing!
I can’t agree with you more! Hail Janacek!! Love that recording and was fortunate to see the Makropoulos Case at the Met with Mackerras conducting and Catherine Malfitano as Emilia.
I saw the opera in the 70s in San Francisco with Silja and Dohnanyi and it was and remains unforgettable. Equally fascinating in words and music and there's not a lot of operas that can claim that.
I have a request. I wonder if you'd do a video on "historical" recordings with which the performances are so good, they're worth putting up with audio quality that's not up to more recent standards. I know that in general that's not your thing, that you're not an historical cult record collector. But I know of some outlets such as Pristine Audio that offer newly remastered cuts of very old recordings, and it does intrigue me to wonder if there are any gems in catalogues like that, that I might want to hear. Thanks for considering this.
There are gems, and I have talked about them, but not as a category, and I won't do that. If the recordings is worthy, then it's worthy to discuss among other worthy recordings.
Hi Dave. Thanx a lot for this wonderful video. One quick remark (that is totally unrelated to the main topic of this video, thb). As everyone knows, it seems that the invention of the word/concept of a “robot” at least in part goes back to Josef Čapek, Karel Čapek's younger brother. Nowadays Josef seems to be the less well-known one of the Čapeks. Which is a unfortunate, to put it mildly. As a visual artist, the man was an absolute genius. His graffitiesque artistic language today looks just as fresh and up-to-date as it did back in the 1920s-'30s. Any child can recognize his paintings within a split of a second. Here we have a level of artistic quality, humanity, interest in the human condition, love and care for humankind, etc., that one does not easily find 20th century' or contemporary art. Sadly. The man was murdered by the Nazis in the Bergen-Belsen contentration camp. He doesn't have a proper grave, for Christ's sake. We don't even the exact date of his death. I urge everyone to Google his name and marvel at the images (and maybe also shed a tear of joy, or two).
My apologies for hijacking your comment section.
By all means, keep up the good work. Sending you love, hugs and kisses from Leipzig, Germany
I saw this for the first time and was totally taken with it. Fantastic
Conductor Jose Serebrier has a recording on Reference Records of a suite to this opera that he composed/arranged. The music is very lush and dynamic. It has three movements and is part of a two disc Janacek collection. A very enjoyable recording I believe Dave mentioned and praised in a previous Janacek video.
Indeed.
In fact, if I had to name my five greatest operas of all time, this would be part of the list. It's a perfect opera-thriller, because in the 1st act, one has no idea what's the matter, and then the veil is lifted more and more, whilst the music becomes more and more intense, when the beathless motives are woven together with increasing density.
From my grandfather, I had the Kubelik-Decca-recording of the "Sinfonietta" and a vocal score of "Makropulos", which I studied over and over.
In Vienna, we had a shop from the communist party , which sold books, scores and LPs from the communist countries. So I bought the Supraphon-discs, when I was 16 or so, and I was overwhelmed. It was the greatest musical impression I had until this time. With 18, we have the final exam from school, the "matura". Just the day before my matura, the opera from Brno came to Vienna with "Makropulos". Well, the exam I could repeat, when I fail, but when would I get the next chance to see "Makropulos". And I went to the performance, the next day I managed the matura, and in the evening I went to the 2nd performance of the opera from Brno, the "Vixen". These have been my first encounters with Janacek's operas. Since then, all of them became vademecums. I love them so much that I have no words to express my emotions and my admiration.
Ditto!
Vademecums! I learned a new word, meaning sourcebook or notebook used for consultation. 🙏
Hi Dave, as a long time Classics Today subscriber, I so enjoy your videos, and was delighted to hear you enthuse over this neglected masterpiece. I lived in Sydney during the 1990s when Opera Australia did a superb Janacek cycle and I was knocked sideways by The Makropulos Case in 1996. Emilia Marty was sung by Marilyn Richardson, one of Australia’s greatest singers, and if my memory serves me right, conducted by Charles Mackerras. It remains one of my most treasured experiences in the theatre. Love “Dave’s Faves” - so many great recordings to revisit. Keep 'em coming!
I was a member of a professional opera chorus for 20 years. We only did Vec Makropulos once, but I remember the experience well, and even though the men-only chorus was limited to a few phrases off-stage in Act III, it remains in my memory as one of the peak experiences in the chorus, simply because the music was so amazing.
I have I my collection the CD you feature in this video, as well as the English version Mackerras conducted with the English National Opera Orchestra. I prefer the former, but perhaps some listeners not familiar with Janacek might find the English version a convenient introduction to his magnificent operatic output. That said, thanks for another wonderful video!
I listened to this whole recording earlier today! The opening for this opera might be the most exciting thing in the whole operatic repertoire
To readers: Mackerras did all the Janacek operas that are together in one DECCA box with a few other items. I purchased the collection in the past under 50 dollars. Years ago I heard Rysanek in Jenufa and I was hooked!!!! Jerel
The Decca box is indeed an excellent collection, but unfortunately Mackerras omitted "The Excursions of Mr. Brouček" from his recorded cycle.
I've heard from reviews that the set doesn't include librettos with translations. Is that in fact true? It would be more handy to get one box set that has everything, but as long as you can actually understand what they're singing!
@@michaweinst3774 Unfortunately no, as is to be expected with budget editions.
I first saw this work many years ago at the New York City Opera with Maralin Niska. She and the opera were wonderful and I became a major Janacek fan.
I can’t agree with you more! Hail Janacek!! Love that recording and was fortunate to see the Makropoulos Case at the Met with Mackerras conducting and Catherine Malfitano
as Emilia.
For those who like videos there is a fine performance, a few regie touches aside, with Angela Denoke as E.M. Her youth is a real asset in the part.
I saw the opera in the 70s in San Francisco with Silja and Dohnanyi and it was and remains unforgettable. Equally fascinating in words and music and there's not a lot of operas that can claim that.
Silja was superb in this opera.
@@johnstoddart3962 She was, even when she didn't have a whole lot of voice left.
I have a request. I wonder if you'd do a video on "historical" recordings with which the performances are so good, they're worth putting up with audio quality that's not up to more recent standards. I know that in general that's not your thing, that you're not an historical cult record collector. But I know of some outlets such as Pristine Audio that offer newly remastered cuts of very old recordings, and it does intrigue me to wonder if there are any gems in catalogues like that, that I might want to hear. Thanks for considering this.
There are gems, and I have talked about them, but not as a category, and I won't do that. If the recordings is worthy, then it's worthy to discuss among other worthy recordings.