Portál Pražana
Prague sings: Hej mistře! (Hey Master!)
It is traditionally celebrated at midnight on Christmas Eve, in various locations in the Capital. 'Czech Christmas Mass', also known as Hej mistře! ('Hey Master!'), popularly called Rybovka, and in Latin Missa solemnis Festis Nativitatis D. J. Ch. acomodata in linguam bohemicam musicam, abriviated to Missa pastoralis bohemika, is a Czech religious composition written by Jakub Jan Ryba. It is the first written liturgical composition in Czech. Rybovka is a pastoral play set in Czechia that narrates the story of the Annunciation of Christ's birth and the arrival of shepherds to the manger in the stable. It was composed in 1796 and hand-written copies quickly spread throughout the Kingdom of Bohemia. The original score has not been preserved, and the versions that are played today are compiled based on critical analyses of the hand-written copies.
Where to go for Christmas Mass by Ryba in Prague?
Apart from Národní divadlo (The National Theatre), where the choir Dětská opera (‘Children's Opera’) performs the ‘Czech Christmas Mass’, but where the tickets are totally sold out, Rybovka can be enjoyed in many other places in Prague. What is more, admission is free to most performances.
On the 20th of December, you can come to listen to the song in Katedrála svatého Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha na Pražském hradě (Cathedral of St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Albert in Prague Castle). Here, the piece will be performed by students, parents and teachers of the primary school ZUŠ Hostivař, accompanied by the Hostivař Chamber Orchestra and choirs Canto Carso, Jasoň and RadHost. It starts at 7pm and the entrance is free.
If you do not feel like going to the city centre, Rybovka will also be performed on the same day in historical Špejchar (an old Czech word for granary) in the Prague district of Dubeč. Admission is by a voluntary donation here as well.
Unusual Christmas Mass at the railway station
The most interesting performance of the ‘Czech Christmas Mass’ in Prague is probably at its Main Railway Station, Hlavní nádraží. Here, you can not only listen, but also play and sing. This mass will be performed by members of the public, who are invited to come along and bring their own sheet music and instruments. The 18th year of the popular event will be conducted by the conductor Lukáš Prchal, and it takes place on the 23rd of December, starting at 1pm. Entrance is free.
If you have time and are feeling enthusiastic, you can go from the railway station to Letenský zámeček in Letenské sady in Prague 7, where Rybovka will be performed by members of public on the same day. Traditionally, the conductor Miriam Němcová conducts the performance, which begins at 3pm. Admission is free.
Where to go on Christmas Eve?
Of course, you can also listen to the ‘Czech Christmas Mass’ on Christmas Eve. Traditionally, you can enjoy it from 4:40pm in the cathedral of Matka Boží před Týnem, as a part of Holy Mass. There will be a repeat performance on the 13th of January at 7:30pm.
On the 24th of December, the piece by the famous composer will be performed in Staroměstské náměstí (Old Town Square) from 9pm by the mixed choir Vox Pragae, orchestra Praga Sinfonietta and soloists.
The last Christmas Mass on the Epiphany in Vyšehrad
One of the last opportunities to listen to Ryba’s masterpiece will be at the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in Vyšehrad at 4pm on the 6th of January. This day is the Epiphany, also known as The Three Kings or Little Christmas. It will be performed by the choir MáTa. Entrance is by voluntary donation.
Ryba in Klementinum
On Saturday the 22nd of December, the ‘Czech Christmas Mass’ will be performed in Zrcadlová kaple Klementina (Mirror Chapel in Clementinum), by the choir Adalbert and the orchestra Benedictus, accompanied by magnificent baroque organs. Admission for adults is 700 CZK, and children under 10 go free.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENTS
20/12/2018 – 06/01/2019
Various locations
Entrance free or by voluntary donation