Jiří Kotouč

Jiří Kotouč studied at Prague Conservatory and under Růžena Židová, a student of Fernand Carpi. He devoted himself to singing and playing ancient instruments. Already at conservatory, he founded ensembles “Camerata Nova“ and “Collegium flauto dolce“ that focused on ancient music. Having played in the Czech Philharmonic Choir in his youth, he participated in many opera performances in La Scala in Milano, La Fenice in Venice, Teatro Rossini in Pesaro and Grand Théâtre in Geneva.

With his own ensembles and other ensembles, he gave concerts around the world. Later, he devoted himself to conducting Baroque operas and spiritual music. He performed many compositions for the first time in Czechoslovakia – i.e. compositions by Händel (Alcina, Rinaldo, Rodelinda, Samson), by Bononcini (Astarto), by Scarlatti (Stabat Mater), Monteverdi (Il Ballo delle ingrate, Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda) or by Vivaldi (Orlando furioso).

Since 1980s, upon the iniciative of professor Miroslava Venhoda, he started to teach classical singing. He taught in Germany, at Týn school in Prague and since 1998 he has taught at Prague Conservatory. His students has sung in great opera houses and at stages in the Czech Republic and abroad. He has studied and transcribed almost forgotten scores of old masters for today’s musicians so that the music, once famous but today known rather from music history, could begin its new life.

Titles for sale:
Baroque Opera Arias
Baroque Opera Arias II
Sacred Arias and Duets