Musicologica Olomucensia

Michael William Balfe on the Olomouc Operatic Scene

If we survey the history of theatre life in 19th-century Olomouc, there is only a small number of directors who were able to lead their institution in a better way than was the case in other provincial scenes in the Austrian (Austro-Hungarian) monarchy. One of the most successful theatre entrepreneur in Olomouc was Friedrich Blum, who introduced into the repertoire new famous operas such as Verdi's Rigoletto or one of the most challenging performance of the age, Meyerbeer's Le Prophète. Among those compositions which were performed remarkably often, we encounter Balfe's The Bohemian Girl. Blum obviously had a very good sense for successful works, moreover he engaged singers-/actors, who were perfectly matched to Balfe's roles.