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DIRECTOR

rocc

Projects:

IL DAVIDE (2023)

Slovenian-born opera stage director, scenic designer, dramaturge, performance artist, opera manager and pedagogue Rocc (born Rok Rappl in 1979 in Ljubljana) studied “opera stage directing” at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno, Czech Republic (1998-2003, Master of Arts), followed up by postgraduate studies in “scenography” at the Universities of Art and Design in Zurich, Switzerland (2003-2005, Executive Master), and with rosalie in Offenbach am Main, Germany (2005-2006). He was granted a scholarship by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, as well as receiving support from the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts. His pseudonym is a tribute to Marie Mrázková, Roccʼs professor of stage acting and his life mentor.

Rocc has staged more than 60 opera productions at the opera houses in Ljubljana, Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Riga, Wrocław, at the Grieg Hall and the National Theatre in Bergen, at the Ljubljana's Cankar Centre and elsewhere. His projects have been presented at several international festivals, such as ISCM World Music Days, Ljubljana Festival, Bergen International Festival, Prague Quadrennial, OPERA Festival in Prague, Janáček Brno Festival, Moravian Autumn Music Festival in Brno, Exposition of New Music Festival in Brno, Musica non grata project in the Czech Republic, Warsaw Autumn Festival of Contemporary Music, Audio Art Festival in Kraków, Festival of Sacred Music in Pordenone, Day of the Composer in the Netherlands. Rocc has a special affinity for contemporary opera combining alternative sound, performing and installation arts, new media and site-specific projects. Since 2013 he has been the initiator and Artistic Director of Concept operapovera, an ensemble focused on contemporary and experimental music-theatre aesthetics.

In the 2007/2008 season Rocc held the post of Dramaturge of the Slovenian National Opera in Maribor. The 2008/2009 season saw him as Deputy Artistic Director and Dramaturge of the Janáček Opera of the National Theatre in Brno, in 2009-2011 he was Artistic Director of the Janáček Opera and a member of the Programme Board of the International Janáček Brno Festival. In 2011-2013 he was Artistic Director of the Prague State Opera, which has been affiliated with the National Opera in Prague since 2012. In 2013-2019 he was Artistic Director of the Slovenian National Opera in his hometown Ljubljana.

In 2018 Rocc received the Recognition for important works of art, the highest artistic title of the University of Ljubljana, which is equivalent to the scientific title of Doctor of Science. He is also active as a pedagogue of opera stage directing and opera acting and as a member of professional juries.

EDUCATION

1994-1998    Bežigrad Grammar School in Ljubljana, Slovenia (Matura)

1998-2003    Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno, Czech Republic: uniform master’s studies in “opera stage directing” with                            Alena Vaňáková

                     (title Magister Artium / Master of Arts)

                     State final exams: psychology and pedagogy, history of opera, methodology – diploma with honours (first graduated opera stage                            director in Slovenia)

2003-2005    University of Art and Design in Zurich, Switzerland: postgraduate studies in “scenography” with Lawrence Wallen (title Executive

                      Master)

2005-2006    University of Art and Design in Offenbach am Main, Germany: postgraduate/specialist studies in “scenography” with rosalie

                     (Certificate)

 

EMPLOYMENT

2007-2008    Dramaturg and Assistant Stage Director at the Slovenian National Opera in Maribor, Slovenia (external collaboration)

2008-2009    Deputy Artistic Director and Dramaturg of the Janáček Opera of the National Theatre in Brno, Czech Republic

2009-2011    Artistic Director of the Janáček Opera of the National Theatre in Brno, member of the Programme Board of the International         

                     Janáček Brno Festival

2011-2013    Artistic Director of the Prague State Opera, which has been affiliated with the National Theatre Opera in Prague since 2012, Czech

                     Republic

2013-2019    Artistic Director of the Slovenian National Opera in Ljubljana, Slovenia

2013-2023    Founder and Artistic Director of the Concept operapovera ensemble, Czech Republic (external collaboration)

2015-…        Sole Proprietor in Performing Arts: Rok Rappl s.p.

2017-…        Visiting Pedagogue of opera acting, stage acting and scenic roles creation at the Academy of Music of the University of Ljubljana,

                     Slovenia (since 2018 Docent; external collaboration)

2021             Artistic Coordinator/Dramaturg of the Festival Hortus Magicus 2021 Kroměříž, Czech Republic (external collaboration)

2022-2023    Visiting Professor for opera stage directing and opera dramaturgy at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno,

                     Czech Republic (external collaboration)

ARTISTIC PRODUCTIONS

1999    Giovanni Battista Pergolesi: La serva padrona, Janáček Academy in Brno (Chamber Opera)

2002    Alessandro Scarlatti: L'amor generoso, Janáček Academy in Brno (Chamber Opera)

2003    Ernst Toch: Die Prinzessin auf der Erbse, National Opera Ljubljana

2004    Josef Berg: Euphrides in Front of the Gates of Tymenas, Janáček Academy in Brno (Studio 09)

            &    Josef Berg: Breakfast at the Schlankenwald Castle, Janáček Academy in Brno (Studio 09)

2004    Markéta Dvořáková & Ivo Medek: Dead? (world premiere), National Theatre Prague (Estates Theatre)

2005    Vít Zouhar: The Days of the Nights (world premiere), National Theatre Brno (Reduta Theatre)

2007    Tomáš Hanzlík: Lacrimae Alexandri Magni (world premiere), National Theatre Prague (Estates Theatre)

2008    Philip Glass: La Belle et la Bête, National Theatre Brno (Reduta Theatre)

2008    Michal Košut: Macbeth (world premiere), Brno International Music Festival (Reduta Theatre)

2009    Joseph Haydn: Lo speziale, National Opera Ljubljana & Ljubljana Festival (Ljubljana Castle – open-air)

2010    Gioachino Rossini: La Cenerentola, National Theatre Brno (Mahen Theatre)

2010    Leoš Janáček: Šárka, National Theatre Ostrava

           &    Bohuslav Martinů: Ariane, National Theatre Ostrava

2010    Peter Šavli: The Swineherd (world premiere), National Opera Ljubljana & Cankar Centre (Linhart Hall)

2011    Vít Zouhar & Tomáš Hanzlík: La Dafne (world premiere), National Theatre Brno (Reduta Theatre)

2011    Pietro Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana, Opera Bergen (Bergenhus Fortress – open-air)

           &    Giacomo Puccini: Le Villi, Opera Bergen (Bergenhus Fortress – open-air)

2012    Richard Strauss: Elektra, National Theatre Brno (Janáček Theatre)

2012    Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Miserly Knight, Opera Bergen (Den Nationale Scene)

           &    Giacomo Puccini: Gianni Schicchi, Opera Bergen (Den Nationale Scene)

2012    Claude Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, National Theatre Prague

2013    Benjamin Britten: Let's Make an Opera! – The Little Sweep, National Opera Riga

2013    Richard Wagner: Lohengrin, National Theatre Ostrava

2013    Giacomo Puccini: La bohème, Opera Bergen (Markusplassen – open-air)

2014    Ivo Medek & Markéta Dvořáková: Alice in Bed (world premiere), National Theatre Brno (Reduta Theatre)

2014    Giacomo Puccini: Gianni Schicchi, Opera Bergen (Bergenhus Fortress – open-air)

           &    Ruggero Leoncavallo: Pagliacci, Opera Bergen (Bergenhus Fortress – open-air)

2014    Andrew Yin Svoboda: Martin Středa, operapovera: Brno (Janáček Academy – Chamber Hall), Prague, Olomouc

2015    Milko Lazar: The Tenth Daughter (world premiere), National Opera Ljubljana (recorded by RTV Slovenija)

2015    Vít Zouhar & Rocc: Echo–Metamorphoses I (opera-installation, world premiere), operapovera & PQ 2015: Prague (Czech Museum of

            Music), Olomouc

2015    Georges Bizet: Carmen, Opera Bergen (Bergenhus Fortress – open-air)

2015    Grigory Frid: The Diary of Anne Frank, National Opera Ljubljana (Stage -3)

2015    Grigory Frid: The Diary of Anne Frank, Opera Bergen & operapovera (Den Nationale Scene – Little Stage)

2016    Gioachino Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia, Opera Bergen & Bergen International Festival (Den Nationale Scene)

2016    Edvard Grieg: Haugtussa, operapovera & Janáček Brno Festival (Orlí Theatre)

           &    Leoš Janáček: The Diary of One Who Disappeared, operapovera & Janáček Brno Festival (Orlí Theatre)

2017    Ludwig van Beethoven: Fidelio, National Opera Ljubljana & Wrocław Opera

2017    Vít Zouhar & Rocc: Echo–Metamorphoses II (opera-ambient, world premiere), operapovera: Brno, Prague (Czech Museum of Music),

            Olomouc

2018    Georges Bizet: Les pêcheurs de perles, Opera Bergen (Sentralbadet)

2018    Ana Sokolović: Love Songs, Slovenian Chamber Music Theatre & operapovera: Ljubljana (The Old Power Station), Novo mesto, Brno,

            Olomouc, Prague

2018    Emil Viklický: The Ploughman and Death, Festival Opera Schrattenbach in Olomouc (Hus Congregational House)

2019    Milko Lazar: code L (world premiere), National Opera Ljubljana

2019    Giuseppe Verdi: La traviata, Opera Bergen (Grieg Hall)

2019    Vít Zouhar & Rocc: Echo–Metamorphoses III (Gardens of Life, world premiere), PQ 2019 & operapovera (Exhibition Grounds Prague)

2019    Johann Heinrich Schmelzer: Le veglie ossequiose, Olomouc Baroque Festival (Theatrum Schrattenbach)

           &    Johann Heinrich Schmelzer: Die sieben Alter stimmen zusammen, Olomouc Baroque Festival (Theatrum Schrattenbach)

2019    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Così fan tutte, Opera Bergen (University Aula in Bergen)

2019    Sára Medková, Vít Zouhar, Ivo Medek & Carmina Escobar: MarISHA (world premiere), Festival Meetings of New Music Plus in Brno (Orlí

             Theatre)

2020    Aleš Makovac: Julija (world premiere), Janez Trdina Cultural Centre in Novo mesto

2020    Giacomo Puccini: Madama Butterfly, Opera Bergen (Bergenhus Fortress – open-air)

2020    Stephen McNeff: Beyond the Garden (world premiere), Slovenian Chamber Music Theatre, operapovera & Cankar Centre (Štih Hall)

2021    Tina Mauko: The Little Match Girl (world premiere), Slovenian Chamber Music Theatre: Ljubljana (The Old Power Station), Murska Sobota,

             Koper

2021    Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf: Il Davide, Festival Hortus Magicus Kroměříž (Kroměříž Castle – open-air) & Olomouc Baroque Festival (The

            Holy Hill)

2021    Igor Stravinsky: Apollon musagète & Oedipus rex, National Opera Ljubljana

2021    Ivo Medek, Sára Medková & Vít Zouhar: TiAmo (world premiere), Audio Art Festival in Kraków (Academy of Music in Kraków – Concert

             Hall)

2022    Georg Friederich Händel: Agrippina, Academy of Music in Ljubljana & Cankar Centre (Linhart Hall)

2022    Bedřich Smetana: The Two Widows, National Theatre Ostrava

2022    Petra Strahovnik: BallerinaBallerina (world premiere), Ensemble Modelo62 (Theater De Vaillant in The Hague)

2022    Ruggero Leoncavallo: Pagliacci, Opera Bergen (Grieg Hall)

2022    Ivo Medek, Sára Medková & Vít Zouhar: Sara’smile (world premiere), Exposition of New Music Festival in Brno (Orlí Theatre)

2022    Dan Dlouhý, Michal Indrák, Martin Švec, Kristýna Švihálková & Otto Wanke: ONI (world premiere), Festival Meetings of New Music Plus in

            Brno (Orlí Theatre)

2022    David Ryan, Vít Zouhar & Rocc: I–ME (world premiere), Slovenian Chamber Music Theatre (Atrium of the City Museum of Ljubljana)

2023    Viktor Ullmann: Der zerbrochene Krug, National Theatre Ostrava & National Theatre Prague (Estates Theatre)

           &    Viktor Ullmann: Der Kaiser von Atlantis, National Theatre Ostrava & National Theatre Prague (Estates Theatre)

OTHER SIGNIFICANT ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENTS

- Rocc's projects have been presented within several renowned international festivals and events, such as (selection):

  • ISCM World Music Days, Slovenia

  • Ljubljana Festival, Slovenia

  • Bergen International Festival, Norway

  • Prague Quadrennial PQ 2015 & PQ 2019, Czech Republic

  • OPERA Festival in Prague, Czech Republic

  • Janáček Brno Festival, Czech Republic

  • Moravian Autumn Music Festival in Brno, Czech Republic

  • Exposition of New Music Festival in Brno, Czech Republic

  • Musica non grata project, Czech Republic

  • Warsaw Autumn Festival of Contemporary Music, Poland

  • Audio Art Festival in Kraków, Poland

  • Festival of Sacred Music in Pordenone, Italy

  • Day of the Composer, Netherlands

- He worked as a scenographer with the Leipziger Tanztheater (Germany) on the projects “LTT 24” (2005) and “failed” (2006), choreography by Canan Erek.

- Rocc has a special affinity for contemporary opera, he has already participated in 21 world premieres of various music-theatre projects.

- In 2006, on the occasion of the world premiere of the opera The Days the Nights by Vít Zouhar, directed and designed by Rocc, the documentary film “The Magic of One Flute” ("Kouzlo jedné flétny") was recorded by the Czech Television.

- In 2011 the book “History of Slovenia” (“Dějiny Slovinska”, published by Nakladatelství Lidové noviny) was published in the Czech Republic, where Rocc is listed as one of the most important Slovenian artists to be presented in the Czech Republic.

- In 2015 his staging of the new Slovene opera The Tenth Daughter by Milko Lazar at the National Opera Ljubljana was recorded by RTV Slovenija.

- On 23.12.2015 he directed and designed the Slovenian state celebration on the Day of independence and unity at the Cankar Centre (Gallus Hall) in Ljubljana with the direct transmission of RTV Slovenija.

- On 5.6.2019 he was the co-author of the project Echo–Metamorphoses: Gardens of Life and director of the Opening ceremony of the Prague Quadrennial 2019 at the Exhibition Grounds Prague, Czech Republic.

- On 23.10.2019 he directed the Festive celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Academy of Music of the University of Ljubljana at the Cankar Centre (Gallus Hall), recorded by RTV Slovenija.

- In 2020 the Czech-English e-book "Leoš Janáček's Operas at the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in Ostrava" (published by the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre) was published in the Czech Republic, presenting Rocc's staging of Janáček's Šárka in Ostrava: https://www.ndm.cz/userfiles/archiv_priloh/clanky/fotografie/2019-2020/aktuality/janacek-opery-ndm-1597068894.pdf

- In 2021 the book "Transformations of Janáček´s Operas at the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in Ostrava" (published by the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre) was published in the Czech Republic, presenting Rocc's staging of Janáček's Šárka in Ostrava.

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