Štefan Margita 65
The globally renowned tenor Štefan Margita will celebrate his birthday with a gala concert at the State Opera.
Basic information
The State Opera
Approximate running time1 hour 15 minutes, no intermission
What better way for a singer to celebrate an anniversary than by singing? Štefan Margita had chosen to give his two birthday concerts at the Prague venues where he spent years of his illustrious career: in 2016 at the National Theatre, whose soloist he was from 1987 to 1991, and in 2021 at the State Opera, whose soloist he was between 1992 and 1994.
Cast
Conductor
Tenor
Soprano
Mezzo-soprano
Bass-baritone
Conductor
Tenor
Soprano
Mezzo-soprano
Bass-baritone
About concert
Since 1998, Štefan Margita has been a freelance artist, mainly performing abroad, on the world’s most prestigious stages, including at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, La Scala in Milan and Covent Garden in London. He has primarily been invited to portray Janáček characters, yet his flagship role, whose account has earned him standing ovations in San Francisco, the Met, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, De Nationale Opera in Amsterdam, the Houston Grand Opera, the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich and elsewhere, is Wagner’s Loge, the god of fire. Music lovers in Prague had the precious opportunity to hear Margita singing the role in May 2019 at the Forum Karlín in a concert version of Das Rheingold, along with the State Opera company, conducted by Andreas Sebastian Weiser. And the tenor will perform Loge’s grand monologue at this gala evening too. Margita has invited to his birthday concert the Czech singers Kateřina Kněžíková and Adam Plachetka, and the Russian mezzo-soprano Elena Zhidkova. They will guide the audience through the world of the most magnificent opera arias, which are staples of their respective repertoires. The State Opera Orchestra will be conducted by Jiří Štrunc.
Come to the State Opera to celebrate the birthday of a leading ambassador of Czech and Slovak art!
PROGRAMME
Petr Iljič Čajkovskij: EUGENE ONEGIN
1. Polonaise
2. Kuda, kuda, vy udalilis (Lensky)
Štefan Margita
Gioachino Rossini: IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA
Largo al factotum (Figaro)
Adam Plachetka
Francesco Cilèa: ADRIANA LECOUVREUR
Acerba voluttà ... (Princess de Bouillon)
Elena Zhidkova
Bedřich Smetana: PRODANÁ NEVĚSTA
Znám jednu dívku (Kecal & Jeník)
Adam Plachetka & Štefan Margita
Leoš Janáček: JEJÍ PASTORKYŇA
1. Zdrávas královno (modlitba Jenůfy)
Kateřina Kněžíková
2. Odešli, jdi také (Jenůfa & Laca)
Kateřina Kněžíková & Štefan Margita
Interval
Richard Wagner: DAS RHEINGOLD
Immer ist Undank Loges Lohn! (Loge)
Štefan Margita
Gaetano Donizetti: L’ELISIR D’AMORE
Come sen va contento! (Adina & Dulcamara)
Kateřina Kněžíková & Adam Plachetka
Pietro Mascagni: CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA
1) Intermezzo
2) Tu qui, Santuzza (Turiddu & Santuzza)
Štefan Margita & Elena Zhidkova
Gaetano Donizetti: DON PASQUALE
Quel guardo, il cavaliere ... So anch’io la virtù magica (Norina)
Kateřina Kněžíková
È la solita storia del pastore (Federico)
Štefan Margita
Giuseppe Verdi: LA TRAVIATA
Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici (Alfredo & Violetta)
Štefan Margita & Kateřina Kněžíková
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Practical information
Where to buy tickets
When purchasing online, you can get an e-ticket. You can pick up printed tickets in person at the box offices of the National Theatre.
The National Theatre sells tickets up to 6 months in advance - currently for September 2026 – February 2027.
Sales always start on the 1st day of the month at 9am, except in January when pre-sales do not start until the 2nd day due to a public holiday.
What to wear?
By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.
Parking at the State opera
While visiting the State Opera, you can take the slip road on Wilsonova street from the left lane close to the State Opera building to the Parking Centrum above-ground garage. The parking fee is 60 CZK/h.
Buffets at the State Opera
No waiting. For your benefit, please pre-order your food and beverages at the bar to minimize waiting in the queue!
Detailed information at divadelnicatering.cz/en.