Ondřej Šmíd is a singer and musicologist. He studied under Prof. Jiří Kotouč and at the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University, where he specialised in the Academy of Early Music and Musicology. He serves as a cantor and tenor at St Vitus Cathedral and at the Church of the Most Holy Saviour in Prague.

He performs and records primarily with the ensemble Capella Regia. He has appeared at festivals including Canto Gregoriano e polifonia (Italy), Musica Liturgica (Israel), the Prague Spring Festival, the Český Krumlov International Chamber Music Festival (baroque opera), Concentus Moraviae, and Pieśń naszych korzeni (Poland).

His main interest lies in Baroque music, particularly that of the 17th century. His doctoral research focuses on Albericus Mazak. He also engages with the works of Adam Michna, Lodovico da Viadana, and French composers of the early 18th century. His interests further include vocal technique, music theory, early Baroque thought, and especially rhetoric and aesthetics, which he considers essential to musical interpretation.

He is a Vice-Chair of the Society for Early Music and the Society for Sacred Music.

About The Class

The principal outcome of the class is the joint musical accompaniment of a Mass in the parish church on Sunday morning at the very end of the course. The aim of the seminar is also to offer participants the opportunity to perform actively on a daily basis during the course, singing at Mass and presenting sacred music in its authentic liturgical function.

Participants from other classes who simply wish “to sing along” are also welcome to join. Daily attendance at Mass and rehearsals is not compulsory and can be arranged individually. The timing of the short rehearsal and the evening Mass does not conflict, as both are scheduled after the regular teaching sessions. The programme will be flexibly adapted according to interest. On weekdays, we will rehearse and perform Renaissance and Baroque motets and polyphonic songs together. Advanced participants may present their own prepared pieces. Sheet music suitable for solos and small ensembles will be available for more in-depth individual study beyond the shared class time. Collaboration with organists, lutenists, and other instrumentalists is, of course, warmly welcomed.

Rehearsal and participation in the final Mass constitute the only fixed point of the programme, so that we know in advance whom we can rely on.

Sun 5 July, 10:00
Adam Michna – Missa IV
A. Michna – O Crhovi a Strachotovi
A. Mazak – Laudate Dominum
(Rehearsal at 9:00 in the church.)

Sun 12 July, 10:00
Adam Michna – Missa II
F. C. Fischer – Salve Regina

The principal outcome of the class is the joint musical accompaniment of a Mass in the parish church on Sunday morning at the conclusion of the course. This year we will perform Missa II from the collection Sacra et Litaniae (1654) for soloists, choir, and orchestra by the distinguished Czech composer Václav Adam Michna, whose 350th anniversary of death we commemorate this year.

This Mass, based on the Christmas hymn Již z hvězdy slunce vyšlo, will undoubtedly provide a joyful refreshment during the summer days. In addition, we will study and perform Michna’s Advent Magnificat and selected songs from the new edition of Svatoroční muzika. On the opening Sunday, we will perform Michna’s Missa IV, which is already familiar to us.

Schedule:
15:45–16:45 Weekday repertoire
16:45–17:45 Joint programme for Sunday
18:00–18:45 Singing at Mass (on selected weekdays)
14:00–15:30 Individual work by arrangement

Level Of Skills Required

All levels

Maximum number of students

No limit

Teaching Languages

Czech, English