Czech National Theater plans live three-hour cross-genre concert for TV

Update: British group Morcheeba will joined the lineup remotely to debut their new single.

A live three-hour concert called Národ sobě – kultura tobě (Nation to Itself – Culture for You) will take place Saturday, Feb. 27, in the historic building of the National Theater. The building is closed to audiences but the event will be broadcast on Czech Television’s ČT art station.

The concert will bring together over 200 performers in 40 different groups on six stages. The artists want to show that even in these difficult times they want to create and, above all, entertain their audiences. In addition to the main stage, acts will also perform in the theater’s foyer, on the balcony, and in the make-up room.

“So many Czech artists together cannot be seen even at the biggest domestic festivals,” Petr Dvořák, CEO of Czech Television, said.

The program will focus on the blending genres and mixing artists who often represent completely different styles.

“We welcome artists of all genres at the National Theater, so together they can please Czech Television viewers and show the hope that Czech culture, thanks to its strength and quality, will return to the audience in the best shape,” Jan Burian, director of the National Theater, said.

Various artists from the National Theatre will work with popular musical acts. Rap group PSH, led by Vladimir 518, will be accompanied by National Theater Ballet soloists Sophie Benoit and John Q. Powers.

Nikola Márová, the first soloist of the National Theater Ballet, and Jiří Macháček, the frontman of the group MIG 21, will perform the song Snadné je žít (Easy is to Live), accompanied by the orchestra of National Theatre Opera, conducted by Jaroslav Kyzlink. Popular group Lucie will also collaborate with the orchestra.

Another cross-cultural combination will be singer Michal Prokop, whose career dates back to the 1970s, performing alongside the alternative singer Never Sol.

Bands in the lineup include Chinaski, Jelen, Mig 21, Monkey Business, The Atavists, Wohnout, and DJ Roxtar will perform.

Other performers include Vojtěch Dyk, Ondřej Ruml with Ondřej Brzobohatý, Bára Poláková with Dan Bárta, Lenka Krobotová, Petra Nesvačilová, Vladimír Javorský with a trio, the band Poletíme? with David Vávra, and the group Noisy Pots with dancers from Laterna Magika. Ivan Hlas and Jana Kratochvílová will also sing. The Signal Festival of Light will also participate in the evening.

Ondřej Cihlář and Petr Prokop from the theater group Vosto5 will moderate the evening.

The live broadcast will take place Saturday, Feb. 27, starting at 8.10 p.m. on the ČT art. The opening of the concert is also broadcast live on the ČT1 program.

More information in on the event’s website or Facebook page.