PT Journal
AU Reittererova, V
   Reitterer, H
   Velek, V
TI Czech Opera in Vienna in the Context of the Time - with Special Reference to the Performance of Blodek´s Opera In the Well in Vienna
SO Musicologica Olomucensia
PY 2012
BP 111
EP 163
VL 15
IS 1
DI 10.5507/mo.2012.006
DE Czech opera; Czech societies; 19th century; Vienna; Vilem Blodek (1834-1874)
AB In the 19th century, opera in the Czech society was considered to be a representative genre through which the Czech-speaking culture could assume its national character. For this reason, works by Czech composers were staged in opera houses in Vienna. On the other hand, there was concern that they would not be well received and understood. The key events in the history of staging Czech operas and plays in Vienna include Dvorak's performance of The Cunning Peasant at the Court Opera House (1885), the guest performance of the Prague National Theatre at the International Musical and Theatrical Exhibition in Vienna (1892), the performance in Vienna of the Czech theatre company of Ladislav Chmelensky (1893), the Viennese premiere of The Bartered Bride by Smetana (1893), the one-act opera In the Well by Vilem Blodek (1894) at the An der Wien Theatre, the premieres of three operas by Smetana - The Kiss (1894), The Secret (1895), and Dalibor (1896), and finally Janacek's opera Jenufa (1918), all at the Court Opera House. Another important aspect of staging Czech operas in Vienna was their contribution to the social life of Viennese Czechs. The author's treatment of the cultural and political circumstances of the performances is based on his study of the period press and other sources. Particular attention has been paid to the reception of Blodek's opera In the Well.
ER