Adam Plachetka a Ondřej Havelka & Melody Makers / Nebe na Zemi
Vibe
Classical-meets-jazz swing concert of Ježek & Voskovec–Werich at Smetana Hall—sit back and savor.
People showing up for cultured, seated listening—not a club crowd. The draw is the Ježek/V+W repertoire across jazz/swing, blues and love songs, with spoken repartee. Go early if you’re tall: balcony seats 5–22 in row 6 have limited legroom and can’t be adjusted.
ADAM PLACHETKA & ONDŘEJ HAVELKA and His MELODY MAKERS will bring you HEAVEN ON EARTH meaning they will sing for your listening pleasure immortal songs by Messrs Ježek + Voskovec + Werich It is well known that Adam Plachetka has recently taken a liking to crossing the boundaries of the world of classical music and venturing into musical terrain he has not yet explored. Many people have certainly noticed his musical and operetta projects. It should be pointed out that he takes these trips into non-operatic genres as a supreme professional, perfectly instructed, with full commitment and creative invention. And so his restless spirit once more drives him into a new adventure and again into the kingdom of the light-footed muses. This time he turns his attention to the repertoire of the Liberated Theatre. Enchanted by the melodies of Jaroslav Ježek and the witty, urbane lyrics of Voskovec and Werich, he invited Ondřej Havelka and His Melody Makers to collaborate. Thus, a concert was created in which both artists, accompanied by a first-class orchestra specializing in jazz, swing and the dance music of the interwar period, perform Ježek's songs in the full genre range so typical of the composer---from distinctive jazz and swing tunes (Tři strážníci, Ezop a brabenec), through originally conceived blues (Klobouk ve křoví, Tmavomodrý svět) and lyrical love songs (Svítá, Když se usmívala), to brilliant, witty parodies (Holduj tanci pohybu, Láska zhrzená čili Na Poříčí dítě křičí). Twenty ageless tunes, which have lost none of their spirit, wit and wisdom to this day, will be accompanied by the Melody Makers orchestra, which will change its lineup and instrumentation to best suit Ježek's imaginative creations and forays into various styles and genres of popular music of the time. Both protagonists, Adam Plachetka and Ondřej Havelka, will also accompany the entire evening with their words, and we trust that their repartee will be as sparkling as the lyrics by V+W. Please note: Seats 5--22 in row 6 on the center balcony have significantly limited legroom. This space cannot be increased.