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Summary for: Czech Vivaldi show finds a famous fan in Antonio BanderasA Czech show combining Vivaldi’s music with modern arrangements and 3D visuals attracted a prominent audience member at its Spanish premiere: Antonio Banderas.
The actor attended Vivaldianno at his Teatro del Soho CaixaBank in Málaga in mid-October, then went backstage to congratulate the performers and discuss the production with its creator, Czech musician and composer Michal Dvořák.
For Dvořák, a member of Czech pop-rock band Lucie, the encounter offered encouragement for a project built around bringing classical music to audiences beyond the traditional concert hall.
Banderas applauds—but another actor narrates
Banderas visited the company during preparations and returned after the performance, spending nearly half an hour with musicians, dancers and other participants.
According to Dvořák, the actor praised the production’s ability to introduce classical music to mainstream audiences, particularly younger people.
The conversation also touched on multimedia productions, with Dvořák describing the exchange as relaxed and collegial despite his host’s international profile.
There had already been discussions about involving Banderas more directly. The team hoped he would record the Spanish narration, but filming commitments and other obligations prevented an agreement in time.
Spanish actor Carlos Hipólito instead provided the narration for Vivaldianno El resplandor de Venecia. The English-language version features the recorded voice of Pierce Brosnan.
Dvořák said he still hoped a collaboration with Banderas might become possible in the future.
The Málaga venue provided a fitting setting for the meeting. Founded by Banderas, Teatro del Soho CaixaBank opened in November 2019 following the renovation of the former Teatro de la Alameda and stages major musical theater productions.
From a Czech album to an international stage
The Málaga performances featured violinists Jiří Vodička, concertmaster of the Czech Philharmonic, and Martina Bačová, alongside cellist Tina Guo, known for her work with film composer Hans Zimmer.
The company gave four performances. Dvořák said nearly all were sold out, with the final two reaching full capacity.
The project began in a different format: the album Vivaldianno MMVIII, released in 2008. A second album, Vivaldianno MMXII, followed in 2012, alongside a concert tour.
It subsequently developed into a multimedia stage production, combining live musicians with contemporary arrangements, narration and visual effects. Tomáš Belko wrote the libretto.
Czech audiences can see a theatrical adaptation, Vivaldianno The Show, in the regular program at Prague’s Hybernia Theatre. Information about the production is available on the official Vivaldianno website.
Upcoming Czech performances are scheduled for Nov. 20 at Zlín’s Congress Center, Nov. 29 at Gong in Ostrava and Dec. 6 at Brno’s Janáček Theatre.
