Organization

Singer

Bass

Pavel Švingr

Filip

František Zahradníček

Count Vilém of Harasov

Baritone

Jiří Brückler

Adolf of Harasov

Soprano

Maria Kobielska

Julie

Tenor

Martin Šrejma

Jiří

Jaroslav Březina

Benda

Kateřina Kněžíková

Terinka

Contralto

Yvona Škvárová

Lotinka

Stage director

Jiří Heřman

Set designer

Pavel Svoboda

Lighting designer

Daniel Tesař

Costume designer

Alexandra Grusková

Choreographer

Lucie Holánková

Chorus master

Pavel Vaněk

Jiří Chvála

Dramaturge

Beno Blachut

Conductor

Robert Kružík

Martin Bárta

Bohuš of Harasov

Zbyněk Müller

National Theatre Prague

Others

Prague National Theatre Chorus

Orchestra

Ópera Checa de Praga

Kühn Children's Choir

Ballet

National Theatre Opera Ballet

Czech

Jakobín -  (The Jacobin)

Prague

Czech Republic

Národní divadlo (National Theatre)

Jakobín

Public

Private

The Jacobin

English

Approved

At the end of the 18th century, Bohuš, a count’s son, who at one time was hounded out by his father owing to his liberalism, returns from Paris to his native small town in Bohemia. Yet before he is allowed to reconcile, he and his wife are caught up in a slew of provincial intrigues which the locals direct both at themselves and – because of his being suspected of “Jacobinism” – against the couple. The opera features a number of stock and popular dramatic types – the happily amorous Jiří and Terinka, between whom the arrogant burgrave Filip wants to drive a wedge; the count’s power-hungry nephew Adolf; as well as the good-natured teacher Benda. The scene at the school during which Benda is rehearsing with the children a festive cantata in honour of the new master is one of the most remarkable in Czech opera.

As in many other similarly tuned Czech dramatic works, here too all the accumulated conflicts are resolved amicably. Besides the traditional title of the opera, The Jacobin, the stage director Jiří Heřman foregrounds the libretto’s lesser-known original name, Mother’s Song, which actually far more appositely indicates that which Dvořák’s opera is all about – tenderness, noble-mindedness, loving care, and the ability of music to soften even the most hardened of hearts.

Photographer for production: Hana Smejkalová

The Jacobin by Dvořák, From (2023/2023), Directed by Jiří Heřman,, Conductor Robert Kružík, Zbyněk Müller, Národní divadlo (National Theatre), Prague, Czech Republic

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues