k 2016

Shakespeare, opera and Czechoslovakia

ŠKROBÁNKOVÁ, Klára

Basic information

Original name

Shakespeare, opera and Czechoslovakia

Name in Czech

Shakespeare, opera a Československo

Name (in English)

Shakespeare, opera and Czechoslovakia

Edition

British Shakespeare Association 2016 Conference, 2016

Other information

Type of outcome

Prezentace na konferencích

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

Keywords (in Czech)

Shakespeare; opera; adaptace, libreto

Keywords in English

Shakespeare; opera; adaptation; libretto

Tags

International impact
Změněno: 29/4/2019 14:14, Mgr. Igor Hlaváč

Abstract

V originále

This paper focuses on the relationship between Shakespeare and the opera adaptations of his plays in the 20th century Czechoslovakia. The creative tendencies of Czech and Slovak composers and librettists are demonstrated on two examples – one comedy adaptation, the other an adaptation of a tragedy. Opera buffa An Uproar in Efes, based on Comedy of Errors, by Czech composer Iša Krejčí with libretto by Josef Bachtík, was written during the Second World War. The libretto adaptation of Coriolanus by Slovak composer Ján Cikker was composed under the influence of the Soviet invasion in August 1968. Both operas try to respect Shakespeare’s originals as much as possible. However, the authors face all the problems one encounters when adapting drama for opera – both Cikker and Bachtík need to reduce the number of characters, compose choir numbers, simplify the plot and shorten the overall play. The paper describes all these changes in comparison with Shakespeare´s original work, focusing especially on the preservation of Shakespeare’s ideas combined with the contemporary political and social issues of the 20th century.

In English

This paper focuses on the relationship between Shakespeare and the opera adaptations of his plays in the 20th century Czechoslovakia. The creative tendencies of Czech and Slovak composers and librettists are demonstrated on two examples – one comedy adaptation, the other an adaptation of a tragedy. Opera buffa An Uproar in Efes, based on Comedy of Errors, by Czech composer Iša Krejčí with libretto by Josef Bachtík, was written during the Second World War. The libretto adaptation of Coriolanus by Slovak composer Ján Cikker was composed under the influence of the Soviet invasion in August 1968. Both operas try to respect Shakespeare’s originals as much as possible. However, the authors face all the problems one encounters when adapting drama for opera – both Cikker and Bachtík need to reduce the number of characters, compose choir numbers, simplify the plot and shorten the overall play. The paper describes all these changes in comparison with Shakespeare´s original work, focusing especially on the preservation of Shakespeare’s ideas combined with the contemporary political and social issues of the 20th century.

Links

MUNI/A/1130/2015, interní kód MU
Name: Aktuální metodologické trendy teatrologického výzkumu (Acronym: DIVMETOD)
Investor: Masaryk University, Category A