Opera 5
Dvořák: The Devil and Kate
Soloists
Brno Janacek Opera Chorus and Orchestra
Jiří Pinkas
At university we gave the first UK performance of Dvořák's Dimitrij. It was a great experience but it didn't convince me that Dvořák was a natural opera composer. The only other of his operas that I have heard is Russalka.
I have mixed view about Dvořák. I love his music when he is being a native Czech composer: much less when he is trying to be Brahms. Fortunately this opera is very much on the Czech side of the divide - it has lots of really attractive folk-based music which is very reminiscent of the Slavonic Dances. There are some very tuneful arias and ensembles. The music associated with the devil is perhaps a little routine though I can imagine that it would work well on stage. I have seen the opera described as a Czech equivalent of Hansel und Gretel with the Devil taking the part of the wicked witch. Of course all ends happily ever after and there is plenty of opportunity for more Czech dancing. Overall I enjoyed it a lot even if it didn't quite convince me that Dvořák was born to compose operas.
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