Looking for a dose of culture this Christmas? Czech Christmas Mass ****************************************************************************************** * Are looking for a dose of culture this Christmas? Czech Christmas Mass ****************************************************************************************** The ‘Česká mše vánoční’ (Czech Christmas Mass), also known as the ‘Rybova mše vánoční’ or is a lively, uplifting and moving Christmas Mass composed by the Czech composer Jakub Jan It is considered to be an integral part of any Czech Christmas, like carp and cookies, and annually in hundreds of churches and halls all across the country. With parts for orchestr soloists it’s an ambitious piece full of character and variation. It is also one of the pi Charles University Choir and Orchestra are performing each Christmas as part of their Chri Part of a canon of work consisting of almost a thousand compositions the ’Rybovka ’ is pro most popular piece. Based on a traditional Latin Mass consisting of Kyrie, Gloria, Angus D etc. it pairs a lively, dramatic melody with Czech lyrics (rather than the typical Latin) Nativity in a Bohemian context. Those factors probably contributed towards its initial pop its memorable melodies have surely secured its popularity with modern as well as non-Czech audiences. The Charles University Chorus, or the ‘Sbor Univerzity Karlovy’ to give it its Czech name, consisting of both Czech and international students, making practices under the care of th lingual conductor Haig Utidjian interesting affairs. The choir has a varied repertoire inc Czech composers like Bedřich Smetana, Milan Iglo, and Zdeněk Fibich, as well as Ryba himse   The chorus holds practices every week in the beautiful Charvátův Hall of the ’Všeobecná nemocnice’ (General Faculty Hospital) near Karlovo náměstí (Charles Square) and consists o members.  Writing as an international student who is also a member of the chorus, I can say that be of the choir offers a brilliant insight into Czech life, giving you a chance to experience culture from the inside, as it were. What better way to immerse yourself in the language t reading the second soprano line while grappling with 18th century Czech tongue twisters? … text. And all of it Allegro! If you thought being able to say “Dám si jedno pivo” (’A beer and “zmrzlina” (’icecream’) was an achievement, try singing “Bu-dem’ Bo-ha ctít srd-cem po ve-le-bit du-chem po-kor-ným. Všec-ky všu-dy svo-lá-me…” allegretto non troppo, keeping yo conductor at all times! It’s a steep learning curve, but all the more enjoyable for being   Singing with the chorus also offers unique opportunities to perform in incredible venues Aula of the Karolinum, as well as to learn about Czech history and customs. One memorable the choir sang in a concert to commemorate the International Day of the Students, a day ve the history of Charles University as well as the Czech Republic. So, if you are looking for a dose of culture this Christmas, make sure you catch a perform of December at 7:30 p.m. in the kostel Nejsvětějšího Salvátora (Church of the Holy Saviour sboraorchestruk.cz/ [ URL "http://sboraorchestruk.cz/"] Elan Grug Muse is in her second year studying for a BA Prague. She is interested in international politics, mu skills.