Dalibor
Oper in drei Akten. Text von Josef Wenzig fur die Deutsche Buhne eingerichtet von Max Kalbeck
Composer: Smetana, Bedrich 1824 - 1884
Dalibor was first performed at the New Town Theater in Prague on 16 May 1868. Smetana had great affection for the opera, but it initially received criticism for being overly influenced by German opera, particularly that of Richard Wagner. However, it was reappraised, and the revival in 1886 - two years after the composer’s death – lead to productions in Zagreb, Munich, and Hamburg. Gustav Mahler conducted an 1892 production in Vienna. SYNOPSIS: Dalibor tells the story of the eponymous fifteenth-century Dalibor z Kozojed, a Czech knight who rebels against the Burgrave of Ploskovice, who killed his best friend in a humiliating manner during a battle. Prior to the opera’s events, Dalibor has attacked the Burgrave’s castle and killed him. During the trial, with which the opera opens, Milada - the Burgrave’s sister - testifies against the knight, but is so impressed by his courage she becomes ashamed of her brother’s actions. She disguises herself as a male musician and comes to Dalibor in his prison cell in an attempt to release him.
Instrumentation
2+picc.2.2.2. / 4.2.3.1. / timp / perc / hp / str Stage Music: 4 tpts
Format
V/S C/P S/P Lib O/S Stage Music
Publisher
JW