Arts Life

What I do: I am a singer with the Vocal Ensemble Gentlemen Singers from the Czech Republic.

Favourite café: I don’t have any favourite café, but my favourite pub is Zelenej zákal/Green Pub in my home city, Hradec Králové.

Current listening: Classical music: JB Lully — Te Deum/Popular music: Tina Turner

The last gig I attended: It was a month ago in Prague — JS Bach: Johannes Passion performed by the Collegium 1704.

The last book I read: Talks with TG Masaryk by Karel Capek

My last trip to the theatre: It was last year. I didn’t visit a typical theatre, but the famous Czech festival, Theatre of European Regions, where I had opportunity to attend many performances, including the open air programme.

The last exhibition I attended: In March we sang with Gentlemen Singers at the opening exhibition focused on architecture of the city of Hradec Králové.

My favourite film: It depends on genre, but if I should choose only one, it would be definitely The Sixth Sense.

My favourite writer: Mario Puzo

My favourite artist: Salvádor Dalí

My favourite musician: Bryn Terfel

My favourite work of art: The Slav Epic by Alfons Mucha.

My favourite venue: It’s my home city, Hradec Králové.

The writer/artist/musician I would most like to meet: Definitely Bryn Terfel (pictured right). He is the best singer in the world.

The Gentlemen Singers were established in Hradec Králové in Czechoslovakia in 2003. Their repertoire includes vocal compositions of the 19th and 20th century, Czech, Moravian and Slovak folk songs, and contemporary compositions. They have performed at more than 300 concerts in 14 countries.

Upcoming event: Evocations: The Gentlemen Singers. Each year the Cork International Choral Festival’s Evocations Concert provides a unique opportunity for audiences to reflect and relax to a special programme of sacred and evocative music prepared by luminaries of the choral world.

This year will see the emotive surroundings of the North Cathedral play host to the internationally celebrated Czech ensemble, The Gentlemen Singers. This late night concert presents an absorbing programme of contemporary classical works by a variety of European composers, from one-voiced compositions (influenced by Gregorian chant) to highly complex eight-voice arrangements.

Interview: Marc O’Sullivan

* Evocations: The Gentlemen Singers,10.30pm, Friday, May 4, Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, Cork