Libuše
Catalogue of Works by Bedřich Smetana
Basic information
Title:
Libuše
Inscribed on the autograph: Libuše. Opera in three acts.
Subtitle:
Festive opera in three acts
Title by autograph:
LIBUŠA
Subtitle by autograph:
Zpěvohra ve III. odděleních I. Soud, II. Sňatek, III. Proroctví – Slova od Jos. Wenziga V hudbu uvedl Bedřich Smetana
Classification according to the catalogue of J. Berkovec:
1.102
Title according to the catalogue of J. Berkovec:
Libuše
Parts/Subjects:
Introduction (Maestoso), Act I: Libuše's judgement. Libuše's Hall at Vyšehrad (Moderato assai), Act II: Libuše's betrothal. A rugged forest landscape (Largo, ma non troppo), Act III: The prophecy, As in Act I (Andante amoroso)
Note:
CLC 1875: "Libuše. completed on 12 November 1872. still waiting to be performed. Piano transcription edited on 10 October 1874."
CLC 1875: The overture to Libuše was published in print by Starý as a score and also as a piano transcription for four hands. Also the score of the overture to The Bartered Bride in 1875."
CLC 1875: The overture to Libuše was published in print by Starý as a score and also as a piano transcription for four hands. Also the score of the overture to The Bartered Bride in 1875."
Cast
Instrumental cast:
2+pic., 2,2,2, - 4,4,3,1 - timp., trg., pti, grt - arp - archi
Vocal cast:
Mixed choir and solo vocals
Other information
Text source
Author of the draft:
Name/Title:
the legend of Princess Libuše in the Cosmas' Chronicle and the Zelenohorský Manuscript
Language:
Latin, Czech
Libuše: original version
Place of origin:
Prague
Date of beginning of composition:
06/1869
Date of composition completion:
12. 11. 1872
Note on date and place of origin:
First act completed on 2 September 1871, second act completed on 18 February 1872, third act completed on 12 November 1872.
Premiere date:
11. 06. 1881
Place of premiere:
Prague, National Theatre
Performer/Soloist:
Conductor/Chorus Master:
Staging:
František Kolár - director, Carlo Brioschi, Hermann Burghardt, Johann Kautský - script
Ensemble:
Marie Sittová, Josef Lev, Karel Čech, Antonín Vávra, František Hynek, Leopold Stropnický, Irma Reichová, Betty Fibichová, (mowers) - Eleonora Ehrenbergová, Anna Hlaváčková, Ema Maislerová, Jan Šára
Note on premiere:
Before the premiere of the opera - individual parts performed separately.
1st edition of the score ( sheet music)
Publisher:
Place of publication:
Prague
Year:
1875
Note:
score
Critical edition
Edition type:
Full score
Publisher:
Place of publication:
Prague
Year:
1949
Note:
The volume contains only the opera Libuše.
1st edition of the libretto
Publisher:
Place of publication:
Prague
Year:
1881
Note:
German text: Josef Wenzig, Czech translation by E. Špindler, libretto contains a note by B. Smetana
1st edition of the piano arrangement
Publisher:
Place of publication:
Prague
Year:
1875
Note:
Arrangement of the introduction for piano four hands
1st edition of the arrangement for voice and piano
Edition type:
Piano-vocal score
Publisher:
Year:
1874
Note:
Arrangement of Přemysl's part for voice and piano