THE BOHEMIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF PRAGUE
Orchestra and Band in perfect symbiosis
As soon as Merlin and the knights of the round table enter the stage, in order to take away the audience to foreign lands of the Arthur saga, you will not only be taken through one of the biggest legends of all time with rock music, but also via the classic string notes of the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Martin Sanda. Where the rock music represents the harshness of the Celtic middle ages, the Symphonic Orchestra will enchant their listeners with the airwaves of myths and stories.
16 years of music
When the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra of Prague was founded in the year 2000, nobody knew what journey lay ahead of those educated, classic musicians.
From the beginning, the Orchestra has been able to prove their high standard of professionalism, with both the full cast of 70 musicians and a small chamber music ensemble.
The orchestra demonstrated their vast diversity in interests and their devotion to art by performing classical works from Mozart to Antonin Dvorak, with music of the Czech pop sensation Iveta Bartosova over to film- and gaming-soundtracks or musicals to stage adaptions of Jeff Waynes “War of the Worlds”.
The passion for rock music was demonstrated in the years of 2010 to 2015 with their engagement at "Rock meets Classic", they had the chance to tour with the central masterminds of legendary rock acts such as Deep Purple, Status Quo or Alice Cooper. During that time they created breathtaking new interpretations of some of world’s biggest rock music.
Excalibur awakens the Celtic mythology
Acting, dancing, music and vocal performances all together create Excalibur – a rock opera of highest standards in stage-art, with a base of medieval Celtic music traditions and modern rock. This one of a kind mixture is held together by the delicate structures of the American composer Lee Holdridge, who performed together with Alan Simon on “Gaia”, “Tristan & Isolde” and two of the past Excalibur shows. His inspiring symphonic scores and the outstanding professionalism of the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague turn the new Excalibur into a show of critical acclaim.
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
& BAND
LEE HOLDRIDGE
Marco Canepa is a pianist also a recognized sound engineer and arranger.
He has worked with the greatest Italians artist including Angelo Branduardi, Paolo Conte, Zucchero but also with Roger Hodgson, Midnight Oil and Cesaria Evora...
He has worked on all Alan Simon's albums since 1997. Alongside Alan Simon is the linchpin of the revival sound of Excalibur.
A very exciting challenge for the two friends who started a challenge!
Konan Mevel is a Breton piper and flutist and has always been passionate for Scotland and the Celtic world. Doted musician, he is also photographer and filmmaker. He is currently preparing his first feature film "The Searcher". He has created with his siblings the band Kad then the group Skilda (with singer Kohann). He has been part of the group Tri Yann since 1998. Konan has been working with Alan Simon since 1999 and was present at the first big show Excalibur in Rennes on October 12, 1999.
For Excalibur his elegant and tribal solos will hypnotize the audience.
Louis-Marie Séveno is a gifted violinist. As a soloist, he has notably accompanied the Tri Yann and Alan Stivell, etc. He has performed on many stages in Europe and beyond. Inspired by Indian culture Louis-Marie Sanjay is also bassist.
Since 1990 Claudio has performed with many great artists, sharing both music and human experiences as Alan Simon, William Narraine, Samuele Bersani, Ornella Vanoni, Ivano Fossati (his father), Giorgio Gaber, Roberto Vecchioni, Luvi De André, Adriano Celentano, Yoyo Mundi, Lella Costa, Tosca, Serena Abrami, Niccolò Agliardi, Riccardo Tesi, Vincenzo Zitello, Roberto Tardito.
Professional guitarist with 15 years career, he works as a session musician for Italian artists and productions as Fausto Leali, Claudio Baglioni, Nek, Max Pezzali, Sirya, Mietta, Ron, Conjure, Biagio Antonacci, Luca Barbarossa and Spanish star Jarabe De Palo. He played in RAI orchestra conducted by M° Iervolino for the show "Star Academy"
In 2011 he won the audition as first guitar for "MAMMA MIA!" (the musical) for over 200 shows at the National Theatre of Milan. In 2012 he released his debut album "ROOTS"
Massimo Palermo is a bass guitarist known for his extremely solid bass playing. He is also professor in a Milanese music school.
He has accompanied many jazz, pop and rock bands. He was bassist for Alan Simon's symphonic ballet "Tristan & Isolde".
MASSIMO PALERMO
MARCO CANEPA
KONAN MEVEL
LOUIS-MARIE SÉVENO
CLAUDIO FOSSATI
PAOLO BALLARDINI
Excalibur The Celtic Rock Opera 2016 © Copyright Babaika Productions
