Comedy on the Bridge
| Operas by Bohuslav Martinů |
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Comedy on the Bridge (Veselohra na mostě in Czech) is an opera (originally a radio opera) in one act by Bohuslav Martinů to a Czech libretto by the composer, based on the comedy by Václav Kliment Klicpera and composed in 1935 in Polička.[1]
Performance history
The first performance occurred over Czech Radio, Prague on 18 March 1937. The first staged performance was at Hunter College, New York City on 28 May 1951, which the composer attended[2] and which received an award for "best new opera" from the New York Music Critics Circle.[3] Martinů arranged three numbers from the opera into a "Little Suite" for chamber orchestra, including piano.[4][5]
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 18 March 1937 (Conductor: ) |
|---|---|---|
| Popelka, the village beauty | soprano | |
| Sykos, a fisherman, Josephine's fiancé | baritone | |
| Bedron, a brewer | bass | |
| Eva, Bedron's wife | contralto | |
| Schoolmaster | tenor | |
| Friendly sentry | spoken | |
| Enemy sentry | spoken | |
| Friendly officer | spoken | |
Synopsis
The setting is on a bridge over a river, during the first half of the 19th century. The river separates two opposing armies during an unspecified conflict. Josephine Popelka has earlier been to the battlefield and buried her brother. On her return, the enemy sentry lets her pass, but holds her papers from his commanding officer. Without the proper papers, the sentry on her own side denies her request to pass, and Josephine must remain on the bridge.
At the same time, Bedron, the village brewer, is allowed on to the bridge from his own side, but is prevented from crossing over at the other side. With Josephine and Bedron detained on the bridge, Bedron casually makes a pass at Josephine. Josephine's fiancé Johnny then appears, and accuses her of being unfaithful. Eva, Bedron's wife, in turn arrives and she joins the argument.
The schoolmaster then joins the scene, trying to solve a riddle that he heard from Colonel Ladinsky, an officer on his own side: 'a deer is in a field, surrounded by a wall too high and steep to jump or climb. How does the deer escape?' The riddle parallels the characters' situation. Then, offstage, battle sounds are heard. The two couples settle their differences peaceably. Then they hear news of battlefield victory on their side. Colonel Ladinsky appears and tells Josephine her brother is alive; it turns out that she buried another deceased soldier. The colonel also reveals the answer to the riddle: the deer does not escape. Everyone laughs and celebrates the victory.
Recording
- Supraphon: Jarmila Krátká, René Tuček; Brno Janáček Opera Orchestra; František Jílek, conductor
References
- ↑ Rybka, James (2011). Bohuslav Martinu: The Compulsion to Compose. Scarecrow Press. p.198.
- ↑ "New Limelight at 60". Time, 11 June 1951.
- ↑ "The Year's Best". Time, 21 January 1952.
- ↑ "Little Suite. From the Opera, Comedy on the Bridge". Music & Letters, 34(1), 80-81 (1953).
- ↑ Paul A. Pisk, Review of published score of "Little Suite from the Opera Comedy on the Bridge", Notes (2nd ser.), 11(1), 148 (1953).
External links
- Boosey & Hawkes page on Comedy on the Bridge
- Ohio University Opera Theater Production (Part 1 of several linked - YouTube)