OVERVIEW

Libretto by Josef Wenzig (1807–1876), translated by Ervín Špindler (1843-1918)

Musical preparation Robert Jindra
Stage director Martin Otava

It was in May 1863 when Smetana wrote Dalibor’s musical motif in his notebook right next to The Bartered Bride’s duet Faithful Love. Though the two operas were composed nearly at the same time, hardly could their characters have been more different. After the light and humorous Bartered Bride, a tragic opera based on the historical figure of the Bohemian knight Dalibor of Kozojedy and related legends follows. Smetana created a new chapter of heroic themes in the Czech operatic repertoire with Dalibor as well as a new chapter in the history of Czech culture—conducting the opera himself, Dalibor premiered on 16 May 1868 on the occasion of the National Theatre cornerstone laying ceremony.

Performed in Czech with Czech and English subtitles.