Opera Master Vladimír Chmelo: Luhačovice is an ideal place for singing courses

What do we mean by masterclasses?

Summer singing courses are designed for intensive, concentrated work for opera singers who want to improve their interpretation and singing technique. In the first week, it is the younger singers who work more on technique, while the second week is attended by more mature and professional singers, so that we can already speak of master classes, where every detail is really worked on.

How did the idea to organize courses in Luhačovice come about?

The idea came from the director of the Luhačovice Spa, who wanted to expand the offer of cultural events in the summer months. Since Luhačovice is associated with the musical genius Janáček and also with the spring of Vincentka, which has a beneficial effect on the respiratory tract and vocal cords, this environment is indeed an ideal place where we can work undisturbed and then delight spa guests and the general public with our concerts.

Who are the courses suitable for?

As I have already mentioned, this is very intensive work for singing professionals or aspiring solo opera singers. Together with me, the participants are accompanied by two excellent pianists - Robert Pechanec, an experienced and sought-after collaborator of the best singers, and Vojtech Cervenka, an extremely talented pianist of the youngest generation, who coincidentally comes from the local region. In addition, the director and stage movement specialist Jaromír Brych, who works on the expressive and movement aspects of the interpretation, is also involved in the whole process.

Can the lay public participate in the courses?

The lay public has the opportunity to participate in the courses in a passive way, i.e. by listening to individual lessons, which are open to the public by prior arrangement.

Who are the great singers who have passed through your hands?

Although I have only been teaching for the last few years, as I was previously an active singer on the international opera scene, there are already quite a number of singers who take advantage of my advice and regularly work with me. It is a great honour for me that Peter Berger, Iveta Jiříková and Daniel Hůlka, for example, show such trust in me, and from the younger generation, Ester Pavlů, Tereza Mátlová, Helena Beránková, Michal Marhold and many others who I hope will become important singers. In fact, singing never ends, it is a lifelong process that one must enjoy. That's why I don't like to speak of my charges as pupils. I am their vocal coach, or mentor, who provides the so-called "second ear", feedback. This is extremely important for singers. I am happy for their success and they know that my criticism, although sometimes harsh, is always meant to make their performance better. For me it is a great responsibility - if they do not improve, I take it upon myself.

What concerts can the audience look forward to this year in Luhačovice?

We are holding two concerts each course week, on Wednesdays at 4pm at the Promenade and on Fridays at 7:30pm at the Spa Theatre

Where can audiences get tickets?

Wednesday's short concerts at the Promenade are free to the public, and tickets for Friday's concerts are on sale at the information centre at the Colonnade.

You are the founder of the Opera to the People project, which presents gems of classical Czech opera with leading singers. What are you currently planning as part of this project?

With the Opera for the People project we have so far staged two Czech operas, Rusalka and The Bartered Bride, which we are currently performing in the unusual historical setting of Prague's Hlahol and also in other venues in the Czech Republic. We have brought a completely new concept of opera performance, which is based on the performances of leading singers, paying attention to the tradition and intentions of the authors and at the same time trying to be more friendly to the contemporary audience, i.e. the operas are for example sensitively shortened.

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