Conductor Jakub Hruša Comes to The Marlowe Theatre Tonight

CONDUCTOR Jakub Hruša has set his sights on living up to the legacy of the late Sir Charles Mackerras, ahead of a special series of concerts with the Philharmonia Orchestra, touring to The Marlowe Theatre later this month.

Tipped by many as a rising star of the classical music world, Hruša has described comparisons with himself and Sir Charles as "an honour" and a "great responsibility" as he aims to live up to his predecessor's illustrious past with a series of concerts featuring repertoire made famous in the UK by the acclaimed Australian conductor.

Tonight, 16 May, Hruša presents the Canterbury leg of Bohemian Legends, a special series celebrating the musical legacy of Antonín Dvorák.

The music showcases the rich musical heritage of the Czech Republic, from Smetana's triumphant love-conquers-all tale, to Dvorák's Eighth Symphony, which is brim-full of the sounds of the stunning landscape of Dvorák's homeland. Also joining Hruša on stage is the phenomenal Norwegian cellist, Truls Mørk, for the folk-inspired sounds of Dvorák's Cello Concerto.

Throughout his career Sir Charles brought the sounds of Czech music to new audiences across Europe, his celebrated Dvorák, Smetana and Janácek recordings with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra still lauded today. Since his passing in 2010, many critics have been waiting for the emergence of a new talent to take on this formidable mantle and in Hruša they may just have found their man.

Hruša, who has become a regular guest conductor with the Philharmonia over the last four years, has garnered significant critical acclaim in that time, particularly in regard to performances of music from his homeland. A student of the Prague Academy of Performing Arts, (of which Sir Charles is also an alumni), Hruša was tutored by the great Czech music interpreter Jirí Belohlávek, who Hruša credits as an immense influence. Now Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Prague Philharmonia and Musical Director for Glyndebourne On Tour, where recent successes include Dvorák's Rusalka, Hr?ša is steadily gaining a reputation as a bold and engaging translator of such repertoire.

The concert is at The Marlowe Theatre at 7.30pm tonight, 16 May. Tickets, priced from £11 to £34 (concessions available; booking fee applies) are from the Box Office on 01227 787787, or at marlowetheatre.com.

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