INTERCESSIONS / WORLD PREMIERE AT THE LÍPA MUSICA FESTIVAL

First, embark on a journey, join in the singing. Be still. Listen.

The world premiere of the composition Intercessions (PŘÍMLUVY) by composer Lukáš Janata, set to a libretto by Tomáš Cidlina, invites the audience on a collective journey where music, space, and human community become a single experience.

A unique site-specific project written for the Lípa Musica festival and the church in Prysk will begin with a communal walk to the church. The procession of spectators thus becomes part of the musical narrative even before the first notes draw them into a spiritual meditation that connects biblical motifs with Czech history and the present day. The libretto by Tomáš Cidlina draws inspiration from Otfried Preußler's poetic story The Escape to Egypt through the Kingdom of Bohemia, bringing to life the theme of the Holy Family's flight, who, after crossing the border, find themselves in a secluded little church somewhere in the Lusatian Mountains. It immediately becomes clear why this world premiere is taking place precisely in Prysk. The encounter between the Holy Family and Czech saints and figures who stood the test of their time opens up themes of home, exile, courage, faith, and hope.

The essence of the Intercessions is not just the music. Intercessions are a shared journey, a reflection, and a prayer—a hymn of praise and a lament that invites every listener to a shared experience and personal reflection.

• Performers:

Klára Blažková, mezzo-soprano
Martin Prokeš, tenor
Jaromír Nosek, bass
Saša Yasinski, accordion
Jan Rokyta, cimbalom, flutes, duduk
Antonín Procházka, percussion