GOULD-BERG VARIATIONS

The Czech-Canadian project Gould-berg Variations presents an original multisensory production that explores the intersections of sound, visual, and movement elements in dialogue with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
  • Premiere: 29.9. 2026, Divadlo Inspirace, Malostranské náměstí 258/13, 118 00 Prague 1 – Malá Strana
  • 30.9. 2026, Divadlo Inspirace, Malostranské náměstí 258/13, 118 00 Prague 1 – Malá Strana
  • 1.10. 2026, Divadlo Inspirace, Malostranské náměstí 258/13, 118 00 Prague 1 – Malá Strana
  • 2.10. 2026, Divadlo Inspirace, Malostranské náměstí 258/13, 118 00 Prague 1 – Malá Strana
Accompanying programme:
  • Work-in-progress performance and discussion: Duncan Centre Conservatory, Prague 4, 20.2. 2026
  • Work-in-progress performance and discussion: Day of Dance, Děčín Castle, 12.4. 2026
  • Work-in-progress performance and discussion: Studio Truhlárna, Prague 3, 30.6. 2026
  • Work-in-progress performance and discussion: Varnsdorf Municipal Theatre, 23.8. 2026
  • Discussion, Canadian Embassy in Prague: (to be confirmed)
  • Dance and music workshop for youth: Kulturní centrum Půda, Prague 6, 24.10. 2026

The impulse for the project is the innovative and unconventional thinking of Canadian pianist Glenn Gould (1932–1982), who fundamentally transformed the interpretation of the famous Goldberg Variations. A key inspiration is also the musical work itself, Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, which is a manifestation of wholeness in Bach’s art. Its structure and symbolism are conceived in the production as a metaphor for the world, for cyclicality, recycling, and the search for inner freedom and authenticity within a given form.

The creators draw on the value of living tradition — constant reinterpretation rather than blind adherence to established orders, an attitude also held by Glenn Gould. It brings a timeless yet highly topical theme that touches each of us: the search for the meaning of human existence, for authenticity, and for a return of attention from “beings” to “being”.

CREDITS
  • Direction and dramaturgy: Art Babayants
  • Music: Johann Sebastian Bach
  • Musical interpretation: Radka Hanáková
  • Choreography and dance interpretation: Eliška Benešová
  • Movement supervision: Cécile Da Costa
  • Lighting design: Art Babayants, Ondřej Růžička
  • Set design: Martina Koblic Valterová, Josef Koblic
  • Production and promotion: 23 Poems Collective z. s.
  • Co-production: Toronto Laboratory Theatre
  • International project partner: Bernd Hofmann
  • In collaboration with: Divadlo Inspirace, Duncan Centre Conservatory, Studio Truhlárna, Varnsdorf Municipal Theatre

The project is created with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the Prague 1 District.