Prague Spring 2026 ⬩ J. J. Ryba: Stabat Mater

Concert as part of the 81st Prague Spring festival on 21 May 2026 in the Dvořák Hall of Prague's Rudolfinum. The Helsinki Baroque Orchestra, one of the world's leading ensembles of historically informed performance, makes its Prague Spring debut with a discovery programme from Czech archives. The ensemble has been led since 2003 by Aapo Häkkinen, laureate of the prestigious harpsichord competition in Bruges and student of the legendary Gustav Leonhardt. The evening opens with the world premiere of the oratorio La Purificazione di Maria Virgine (1807) by Antonio Casimiro Cartellieri, second kapellmeister at the court of Prince Josef František Maximilián of Lobkowicz. The second half features Stabat Mater (1805) by Jakub Jan Ryba – one of the most extensive and ambitious works by this composer, created in just six weeks during a period of personal crisis. Ryba, known to the general public as the author of the Czech Christmas Mass, was in fact an extraordinarily prolific composer of sacred music with over 1,500 works. The solo parts are sung by Lydia Teuscher (soprano), Marie Seidler (mezzo-soprano), Patrick Grahl (tenor), Tuomas Katajala (tenor), and Cornelius Uhle (baritone). The choir is provided by the Purcell Choir from Budapest under the direction of choirmaster György Vashegyi. Programme duration is approximately 2 hours. The concert is broadcast live on Czech Radio Vltava.