OHL ŽS Supports Young Talent

13. 08. 2005

As in 2004, in the 1styear of the International Singing Courses, also in the following year OHL ŽS, a.s. offered support to the young artists who participated in the 2ndyear of the courses.

As in 2004, in the 1styear of the International Singing Courses, also in the following year OHL ŽS, a.s. offered support to the young artists who participated in the 2ndyear of the courses.

Master courses play an exceptional role in shaping young artists , releasing and channelling creative energy, enabling the building and extending of a  new repertoire, helping to obtain new contacts and join the desires of young artists not only to hope but also to the specific development of their talent.

Michal Štefl in the pleasant company of Eva Bláhová and Josef Suk.

The 2ndyear of the International Singing Courses was held on 2 to 11 August 2005 in the Štiřín Chateau under the auspices of the Antonín Dvořák Foundation and its President, Josef Suk.

The singing courses for young novices in classical theatre were held under the supervision of Professor Eva Bláhová (who, besides other things, teaches at universities of art in Slovakia, is a visiting professor in Finland and is also a member of committees, for example the Prague Spring, the National Theatre in Prague and the Antonín Dvořák Foundation) and Professor Akihiko Mori (whose expert activities in arts cover the territory ranging from his native Japan to Europe). Interest in the courses was huge and so the selection procedure focused on real quality – finally, 34 young singers from 7 countries were selected.

The courses also included concerts performed by selected young artists. Among the audience of the closing concert, held in the premises of the Štiřín Chateau on 10 August, were also Josef Suk and CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of our company, Michal Štefl. Successful course leavers sang arias by among others Antonín Dvořák (Love Songs, p.82), Giuseppe Verdi (from the opera, A Masked Ball), and Georges Bizet (from the opera Carmen).

It is gratifying that the Czech Republic is a place where young artists can come and find professional support for the development of their talents in a sympathetic environment. Most of the participants perform on stages all over the world and like coming back to our country.