- Title: Prague opera lovers watch "Don Giovanni" on rooftop - and in bath tubs
- Date: 30th August 2019
- Summary: AUDIENCE APPLAUDING (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) OPERA SINGER, EVA KYVALOVA, SAYING: "Of course people in a theatre are also in the mood to listen to a nice opera, but it is different here - the atmosphere, the view, the wine and the bath tub spa make it a bit different." OPERA SINGERS TAKING A BOW AT END OF PERFORMANCE / AUDIENCE APPLAUDING AUDIENCE MEMBERS GETTING OUT OF BATH TUBS (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) OPERA LOVER, JANA CHUCHROVA, SAYING: "It was a great experience - all the men and the lady (were) - just amazing." AUDIENCE MEMBERS TALKING WITH OPERA SINGER (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) OPERA LOVER, MARTIN STERBA, SAYING: "I am normally not following the opera a lot, but to see 'Don Giovanni' as 'John do vany' from in a bath tub, with a nice view of Prague Castle is something incredible." VIEW OF PRAGUE ROOF TOPS, PLANE FLYING
- Embargoed: 13th September 2019 11:11
- Keywords: Czech bath tub opera opera in baths Prague opera Prague bath opera opera music performance
- Location: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
- City: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
- Country: Czech Republic
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Music,Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA007AUEUHX5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Mozart's "Don Giovanni" has been a favourite among opera lovers since it premiered in Prague in 1787 but it is unlikely that any have ever watched it on a rooftop in the Czech capital while submerged in a bath tub, a glass of bubbly in hand - till now.
That's how Prague cafe owner and culture promoter Ondrej Kobza arranged his performance, delivered by top Czech opera singers, including soloist Adam Plachetka from the Vienna Opera, as the sun set over the historic city centre on Thursday (August 29) night.
The stunt, comprising of selected arias rather than the entire opera, was based around an anagram - Don Giovanni turned into the Czech "John do vany" which means "John into the tub," explained Kobza, who believes that presenting culture in new, innovative ways is the best way of preserving it.
Singer Plachetka said that choosing to perform was a daring move for him, but that he enjoyed the challenge.
The spectators, who sat in their bath tubs in full evening attire, were delighted with the performance. Despite being wet they said that it was a great experience and that, luckily for them, the water in the tubs was warm.
"Don Giovanni", which tells the story of a sexually promiscuous nobleman whose past finally catches up with him, premiered in Prague, then part of the Austrian Hapsburg Empire, on Oct. 29, 1787.
(Production: Jiri Skacel, Louisa Naks) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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