PT Journal
AU Kopecky, J
TI Fibich's Blanik Competes with Smetana's Libuse
SO Musicologica Olomucensia
PY 2021
BP 138
EP 151
VL 33
IS 1
DI 10.5507/mo.2021.010
DE Zdenek Fibich; Blanik; Bedrich Smetana; Libuse; grand opera; Musikdrama; opera competitions
AB After his first opera Bukovin Zdenek Fibich approached his next operatic composition with the greatest respect. Bukovin achieved only a "fair" success (it was premiered under Adolf Cech's baton in April 1874), and Fibich wished to overcome this result with a new libretto by Eliska Krasnohorska, which Fibich began to set in the autumn of 1874. Fibich worked quickly in this period, but he did not finish the instrumentation until 1877, and the premiere took place in 1881. Nevertheless, external circumstances which inhibited Fibich in working more quickly finally proved to be a positive stimulus. Fibich could revise the Czech declamation and invent highly original music for an equally good libretto; Fibich responded with Wagnerian ideas (leitmotiv technique, strengthened orchestration) as well as grand opera conventions (tableau vivant etc.). Fibich submitted Blanik for an opera competition for the opening of the National Theatre in Prague. The result was announced in 1880, and as expected Smetana's Libuse was awarded the first prize. The opera Cernohorci by Karel Bendl and Fibich's Blanik were each rewarded with only a half-prize. Unfortunately the National Theatre burnt down and Blanik had to be premiered in the Interim Theatre. Despite this fact Blanik was received with unequivocal recognition and became the crucial impetus for a courageous work - the Czech modern tragic opera, The Bride of Messina.
ER