The evening featured compositions by well-known Czech greats, from Antonín Dvořák's Gypsy Songs, Op. 55 and Leoš Janáček's Moravian Folk Poetry in Songs, in original arrangements for two guitars and vocals, as well as authentic arrangements of songs by Chabuca Granda, Peru's most famous "chansonnier", whose work has contributed to the spread of Peruvian musical culture throughout the world. All of this was linked by Suite Karussell, the most famous and most played piece by Czech composer and guitarist Milan Tesař, and by the final song Perú, mi amor by Czech composer, traveller, photographer and adventurer Eduard Ingriš. The concert was very much appreciated by the audience and Bella Adamova's performance captivated concert guests.

The duo Siempre Nuevo was founded in October 2007 by Czech guitarists Matěj Freml and Patrick Vacík during their studies at the Liszt School of Music in Weimar, Germany. Since then they were invited to concerts and festivals not only in Czechia, but also abroad. Their recitals brought them to countries just as China, Peru, Brazil, Italy, Poland, Germany, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other European countries. Besides their solo career, the two guitarists set up also other projects such as Guitarra Cantante with mezzosoprano Eva Garajová, European melodies with soprano Markéta Fassati and 4+2 with Epoque Quartet, one of the most famous Czech string quartets nowadays. Siempre Nuevo plays original compositions as well as adaptations for two guitars. Their repertoire includes an equal measure of works of the renaissance, baroque and classical period right up to compositions of the romantic and contemporary periods. This diversity and the fresh, expressive interpretations often were subject of praise from audiences and critics.

The successful mezzosoprano Bella Adamova is considered a rising star not only of the Czech singing scene. Her recent highlights include BBC Proms and Dvořákova Praha debuts with Jakub Hrůša and the Czech Philharmonic in Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass, de Falla’s El amor brujo with the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic and Robert Kružík, the alto solos in Mahler's 2nd and 8th Symphonies with the Prague Symphony Orchestra (FOK) and Tomáš Brauner, and Mozart’s Requiem with the West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra and conductor Alena Hron. She debuted at the Prague Spring Festival in a solo recital and has performed on significant stages and festivals, such as e.g. Heidelberger Frühling. Adamova has won numerous awards at international competitions, such as the main prize in the oratorio category at the International Vocal Competition in 's-Hertogenbosch (2022), the top prize in the International Robert Schumann Competition (2021) or the Czech Song Prize at the Emmy Destinn Awards in London. Bella Adamova was born in Grozny, Chechnya, and grew up in Prague. She completed her musical studies in London, Cologne, Basel and Hanover.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic would like to thank everyone who attended this special concert.

We would like to thank the Embassy of Peru in Finland for supporting this concert.

We would like to thank our sponsor, VAFO Group, a leading European producer of superpremium pet food, for their support.

Photo: Czech Embassy in Helsinki