catalogue

The opera Libuše has a unique place in the Czech national culture. It was written by Smetana in the second half of the 19th century, a difficult time for the Czech nation, as a festive opera to be performed solely on occasions celebrating the Czech nation. Such an occasion was the opening of the National Theatre, Prague, in 1881 when the premiere of Libuše took place. The story, based on legends about the Czech Princess Libuše, just, democratic and gifted with the ability of prophecy, who became a symbol of the nation, of its ancient roots and its hope for a better future, combines the nation’s glorious ancient beginnings with a personal plot of jealousy and love, dispute and reconciliation.

The leading part was splendidly performed by soprano Eva Urbanová, who ranks among the most outstanding Czech singers. Apart from opera and concert performances in the most prominent European opera houses and concert halls, she has appeared in the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, Washington, Canada, Hong Kong. She excels as Kostelnička in Janáček’s opera Jenůfa, as Milada in Smetana’s opera Dalibor as well as in Verdi, Wagner, Ponchielli (Gioconda), Dvořák (Stabat Mater) etc. In 1998, Libuše with Eva Urbanová was performed in Czech at the Edinburgh festival and it was an immense success.