About us

Since its first public appearance in 1995, Ensemble Damian has focused almost exclusively on the rendering of baroque and minimalist music. As regards baroque music, sources of inspiration are found in the funds of Czech and Moravian archives, while the second domain is covered primarily by composers Vít Zouhar and Tomáš Hanzlík, who is also the ensemble’s art director.

Ensemble Damian has a variable number of members, depending on the work performed. In its largest cast, the ensemble has the size of a chamber orchestra and a chamber choir. Its vocalists will typically sing in a flat voice, with natural colour and no vibrato or other practices typical for opera singing. Baroque music is played with the use of the instruments of the period. The ensemble does not follow the scheme of classical concert presentation, and its programmes are designed into thematically related areas. In recent years, the ensemble has focused on the scenic rendering of baroque and contemporary cantatas, oratorios and operas. The aim is not just a strictly historical interpretation, but rather a lively and contemporary performance that is comprehensible for a wide range of viewers.

In the summer of 2011, Ensemble Damian performed at the Prague Baroque Festival, where it played more than 70 times in what was referred to as an opera “marathon”.

Art directors: Tomáš Hanzlík, Marek Čermák (cemballo)

Soprano: Markéta Večeřová, Anna Jelínková, Eva Kotíková, Dominika Kellnerová

Alto: Lenka Čermáková, Vera Šimůnková, Jana Synková, Jan Mikušek, Bedřich Lévi

Tenor: Radek Prügl, Jan Ondrejka, Rostislav Baláž, Tomáš Hanzlík, Jindřich Večeřa

Basso: Pavel Maška, Vladimír Třebický, Radek Koňárek, Karel Fiala, Daniel Rusek

Violin: Alena Strojilová, Lenka Strnadová, Lukáš Mik, Eva Kalová, Tomáš Pálka, Václav Návrat, Vít Nermut

Viola: Braňo Lariš, Tomáš Hanzlík

Viola da gamba: Bohuslava Adámková

Cello: Dalibor Pimek, Petra Čadová

Double bass: Michal Reich, Kateřina Truksová

Saxophone: Martin Stánec, Pavel Krchňák, Petr Chrobák, Mirek Malý

Bassoon: Tomáš Klásek, Milan Štědroň

Guitar: Jiří Taufer

Piano: Lena Pulchertová, Petr Vočka, Marek Čerrmák

Organ: Jan Gottwald

Drums: Aleš Slaměník, Květuše Raueová