Libusa

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Work data
Title: Libuše
Original title: Libusa
Shape: shape
Original language: Czech
Music: Bedrich Smetana
Libretto : Josef Wenzig
Literary source: The opera is based on the forged Koeniginhof manuscript
Premiere: June 11, 1881
Place of premiere: Národní divadlo ( National Theater ), Prague
Place and time of the action: Vyšehrad Castle and in the village of Staditz ( Bohemia ) in prehistoric times
people
  • Libusa , Princess of Bohemia ( soprano )
  • Přemysl von Staditz ( baritone )
  • Chrudoš ( bass )
  • Šťáhlav , his brother ( tenor )
  • Lutobor , whose uncle (bass)
  • Radovan (baritone)
  • Krasava , daughter of Lutobor, at the court of Libusa (soprano)
  • Radmila , sister of the two brothers, at the court of Libusa ( old )
  • Courtiers, nobles, maidens and servants at the court of Libussa, servants at the court of Přemysl, Czech tribes (old men, Lechen, chiefs), people and the like. a.

Libusa ( Czech. Libuše ? / I ) is an opera in three acts by Bedřich Smetana . The libretto was written in German by Josef Wenzig and translated into a Czech version by Ervín Špindler . Audio file / audio sample

Smetana composed the opera in the years 1869 to 1872, she was on 11 June 1881 in Prague for the opening of Národní divadlo ( National Theater ) premiered .

action

first act

Libusa is waiting together with Krasava and Radmila for the advice of the judge in the inheritance dispute between the brothers Chrudoš and Šťáhlav, because she has to decide the matter. Krasava makes her a confession: Lutobor's daughter is not completely indifferent, she plays the two boys off against each other by pretending to love Šťáhlav. The Princess’s verdict is expected in front of the castle. Libusa allocates half of the inheritance to each of the two, but Chrudoš wants to challenge the judgment because it was passed by a woman. The people should choose a husband for Libusa who speaks right in her place. But the people don't want to find anyone for her and so she chooses Přemysl von Staditz as her husband.

Second act

At the grave of the father of Chrudoš and Sťáhlav, Krasava and Chrudoš of Lutobor are supposed to be reconciled. Krasava confesses her injustice and wants Chrudoš to be reconciled with his brother Šťáhlav. Chrudoš should also apologize to Libusa.

While the reapers are singing at work, Přemysl lies under a linden tree and dreams of Libusa, who was his guest several times. Suddenly Radovan comes at the head of a delegation to tell him that he has been made Prince of Bohemia and Husband of Libusa. Now he has to say goodbye to his home country.

Third act

The arrival of Přemysl is celebrated at Vyšehrad Castle . Chrudoš apologizes to the couple. In a magical moment, Libusa looks into the future: She sees a lot of Czech heroes: Prince Břetislav , Knight Jaroslav von Sternberg , King Ottokar II and his granddaughter Elisabeth , Karl IV. And Georg von Podebrady . After that the vision darkens; Libusa suspects disaster, but also that the Czechs will not let themselves get down.

"Můj drahý národ český neskoná, on pekla hrůzy slavně překoná!"

"My beloved Czech nation will not perish, it will gloriously survive the hells of horror!"

- Princess Libuše : at the end of the opera

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