Vanda (opera)
From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Vanda is a grand opera in five acts by Antonín Dvořák. The Czech libretto was written by Václav Beneš-Šumavský and cs after a work by Julian Surzycki.
Performance history
The opera was first performed at the Provisional Theatre in Prague on 17 April 1876.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 17 April 1876 (Conductor: Adolf Čech) |
|---|---|---|
| Vanda, the Polish queen | soprano | Marie Zofie Sittová |
| Božena | mezzo-soprano | Ema Maislerová-Saková |
| Homena | contralto | Betty Fibichová |
| Lumir | baritone | Leopold Stropnický |
| Roderik, a German prince | baritone | Josef Lev |
| Slavoj, a Polish knight of humble birth, in love with Vanda | tenor | Antonín Vávra |
| Velislav | tenor | Josef Šmaha |
| Všerad | tenor | Josef Chramosta |
| Vitomír | tenor | Ferdinand Koubek |
| Messenger | tenor | Jan Sára |
| Herald | tenor | Petr Doubravský |
| Pagan high priest | bass | Karel Čech |
Synopsis
The story is about the Polish queen, Princess Wanda, who drowns herself in the Vistula river in order to save her people from the German invaders.
Recordings
- 2004: Olga Romanko (Vanda), Valentin Prolat (Slavoj), Ivan Kusnjer (Roderich), Jolana Fogašová (Božena), Oleg Korotkov (Pagan high priest), cs (Lumír), Yvona Skvárová (Homena); Gerd Albrecht, conductor; National Theatre (Prague)
References
- Amadeus Almanac, accessed 24 March 2015
- Smaczny, Jan, "Vanda", in The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, (Ed. Stanley Sadie). London, 1992 ISBN 0-333-73432-7
External links
- Vanda, comprehensive details at antonin-dvorak.cz
