Karlštejn

The opera Karlštejn was composed during the turbulent years of the First World War. For the libretto, the composer chose Jaroslav Vrchlický’s successful comedy A Night at Karlštejn and commissioned Otokar Fischer to adapt it. The comic elements of the original play were toned down; instead, the figure of the wise and benevolent monarch Charles IV was brought to the forefront. As the composer noted: “The overall character of the work is serious, which Fischer emphasized by changing the lighthearted title A Night at Karlštejn to simply Karlštejn, framing it as a religious and political symbol of the Czech lands.”

To underline the festive and patriotic tone of the opera, Novák incorporated musical quotes from the hymn Hospodine, pomiluj ny and the St. Wenceslas Chorale. Great emphasis is placed on the orchestra, whose rich instrumentation and extensive overtures to Acts II and III give the piece the character of a symphonic opera.

Karlštejn, like all of Novák’s operatic works, is closely linked to the National Theatre, where it premiered on November 18, 1916—the anniversary of the theatre's opening—under the baton of conductor Karel Kovařovic. The opera was last performed nearly forty years ago, in 1986. This upcoming concert performance offers audiences a rare opportunity to discover this remarkable work, conducted by Robert Jindra, Music Director of the National Theatre Opera.

Featuring soloists of the National Theatre Opera, the National Theatre Chorus, and the National Theatre Orchestra.

Creatives

Dramaturgy: Beno Blachut