A Unique Live Recording of Dvořák’s Rusalka to Be Created in Liverpool with Sonya Yoncheva and Pavel Černoch in the Leading Roles

One of the most significant operatic events of the season will take place on 19 and 21 June in Liverpool, where a concert performance of Dvořák’s Rusalka will be presented by a stellar international cast, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Liverpool Philharmonic Opera Chorus, and Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan. This exceptional project will also be recorded and released as a live CD recording, capturing this unique gathering of some of today’s foremost opera artists.

The title role of Rusalka will be performed for the first time in her career by the world-renowned Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva. Leading Czech tenor Pavel Černoch will appear as the Prince. The cast also includes bass Jongmin Park as the Water Goblin, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston as Ježibaba, and Giselle Allen as the Foreign Princess. The three Wood Sprites will be portrayed by Ella Taylor, Natasha Agarwal, and Lily Mo Browne. Joshua Ellicott will perform the roles of the Gamekeeper and the Hunter, while Grace Durham will appear as the Kitchen Boy.

Pavel Černoch has extensive experience performing the role of the Prince on both Czech and international opera stages. He first studied the role in Athens and subsequently performed it in Riga, at the Glyndebourne Festival, in Paris in Robert Carsen’s acclaimed production, as well as in Zurich, Naples, Toronto, Dresden’s Semperoper, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Vienna, and, naturally, Prague. This summer he will also sing the role in Munich.

“I have had the opportunity to portray the Prince on many wonderful stages around the world. It gives me even greater pleasure to return to this character alongside Sonya Yoncheva, who will be making her debut as Rusalka. I am also delighted that a live recording will be made, preserving the atmosphere of this exceptional collaboration,” says Pavel Černoch.

Under the baton of Domingo Hindoyan, one of Antonín Dvořák’s most beautiful scores will be performed by singers of international distinction. Jennifer Johnston serves as Creative Consultant for the project, while Lada Valešová is Assistant Conductor and Vocal Coach.

Following the Liverpool performances, Pavel Černoch will return to the role of the Prince at the Bavarian State Opera during the Munich Opera Festival on 23 and 25 July. The performances will be conducted by Czech conductor Petra Popelka, the designated General Music Director of the Bavarian State Opera.

Pavel Černoch is widely regarded as one of the leading Czech tenors of today. He regularly performs at major international venues such as the Vienna State Opera, Bavarian State Opera, and the Royal Opera House, and collaborates with leading conductors and orchestras.

In July 2026, he will reprise the role of the Prince in several performances of Rusalka at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich under the baton of Petr Popelka.

Czech audiences will have the opportunity to hear Pavel Černoch on 8 August at the closing gala concert of the International Music Festival in Český Krumlov.