The Jacobin

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Work data
Title: The Jacobin
Original title: Jakobín
Original language: Czech
Music: Antonín Dvořák
Libretto : Marie Červinková-Riegrová
Premiere: February 12, 1889
Place of premiere: National Theater , Prague
Playing time: approx. 165 minutes
Place and time of the action: Small town in Bohemia, around 1793
people
  • Count Wilhelm von Harasov ( bass )
  • Bohuš, his son ( baritone )
  • Julia, his wife ( soprano )
  • Adolf, nephew of the count ( baritone )
  • Burgvogt ( bass )
  • Jiří ( tenor )
  • Benda, teacher, choir director and composer ( tenor )
  • Terinka, his daughter ( soprano )
  • Lottinka, old decision maker ( old )
  • Citizens, musicians, youth, guards, country people ( choir )

The Jacobin (Czech Jakobín ) is an opera by Antonín Dvořák in three acts based on a libretto by Marie Červinková-Riegrová and František Ladislav Rieger . In addition to the first version, which was successfully premiered in Prague on February 12, 1889, there is a second version, which is commonly played today. This was created as the result of numerous reworking in 1897 by Dvořák himself and was performed for the first time in Prague in 1899. This version was first performed in German in 1931, but it was slow to gain acceptance.

action

first act

Count Vilém von Harasov rejected his own son Bohuš because of this too liberal thoughts and inclined to his nephew Adolf. Bohuš went to Paris and was condemned as a Jacobin in his family. Especially today, for the parish fair, Bohuš is returning to his father's estate, accompanied by his wife Julia, without identifying himself, where the old count rarely stays. The strange couple observes the youth pouring out of the church, the old teacher Benda with his daughter Terinka and her suitor, the aging, inflated burgrave Filip, but also the journeyman hunter Jiří, who is much more dear to the young girl. Out of jealousy, Jiří sings a mockery song that is pointed at the burgrave and thus rages him. Bohuš and Julia hear about the "failed count's son", but soon come under suspicion themselves because they come from Paris and pretend to be artists. The old count arrives with his nephew, is greeted respectfully by the people and declares Adolf to be his heir.

Second act

In the school class, the teacher Benda rehearses a festive cantata with the choir, children and soloists as a welcome greeting for the rulers. Terinka and Jiří sing the solo part. Bohuš and Julia also find a friendly home with him. The burgrave comes to court the handsome Terinka and threatens Jiří with military service. Immediately afterwards Adolf arrives and promises the burgrave the highest office if he manages to arrest the suspicious, strange couple. Bohuš steps forward to thwart Adolf's further intrigues, and the burgrave has him taken to prison.

Third act

While Jiří is also locked up in prison, the old teacher Benda, with the help of Lottinka, manages to break into the castle and talk to the count. However, the count refuses to forgive his son. Julia decides to act and in hiding sings a song that the deceased countess used to sing to her son. The old lullaby moves the Count to listen to Julia. Julia justifies Bohuš in the eyes of the count and convinces him that only Bohuš 'slander is to blame for the alienation between father and son. The count lets the prisoner out of dungeon and makes peace with his son and daughter-in-law. Ultimately, he also gives his blessing to the young couple Jiří and Terinka.

Web links

Commons : Jacobin  - collection of images, videos and audio files