THE FILM
Vojtěch Dyk stars in Petr Vaclav’s epic biographical film about Josef Mysliveček , the most celebrated Czech composer of the 18th century. Contrary to his family’s expectations, this son of a Prague miller embarked on a journey to Italy, to the very heart of the world of opera, in search of his dream. Unlike so many others, succeeded in making his mark there and enjoying a stellar career in the second half of the 18th century.
So, who was Josef Mysliveček? How is it possible that he so quickly managed to enrapture the audiences of the most important opera stages in Italy? He captured the attention of the most famous performers, the impresarios, and even monarchs themselves. In doing so, become one of the most sought-after composers of that time. How is it possible that he disappeared from the collective memory just as quickly? The film attempts to answer some of these questions and, above all, to commemorate this Czech musical great , about whom little information has been preserved to this day. The music of Josef Mysliveček itself is therefore key to the narrative. Thanks to this music, the creators have been able to at least put together a few pieces of the puzzle in the world of one of the most celebrated Czech composers of all ages. The very best Baroque musicians of our own time, led by Václav Luks and Collegium 1704 , have come together to provide the audience with the perfect musical experience. Realia from Mysliveček’s world, costumes, make-up, and sets, all detailed to perfection, transport the audience to Venice, Naples, and other Italian cities of the age, as does Vojtěch Dyk’s authentic performance – in Italian – in the main role.
