Internationalism and Nationalism in Smetana's
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
INTERNATIONALISM AND NATIONALISM IN SMETANA’S BRANDENBURGERS AND LIBUŠE by KELLY ST. PIERRE Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts degree Thesis Advisers: Francesca Brittan and Mary Davis Department of Music CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY May, 2009 CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES We hereby approve the thesis/dissertation of ___________________Kelly St. Pierre_____________________ candidate for the _________Master of Arts___________degree *. (signed)______________Francesca Brittan__________________ (chair of the committee) _____________________Mary Davis__________________ __________________Daniel Goldmark________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ (date) ______03/24/09__________ *We also certify that written approval has been obtained for any proprietary material contained therein. 1 CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................3 ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................4 Chapter 1. SMETANA, NATIONALISM, AND THE REBIRTH.....................................5 Underpinnings: The National Rebirth The Rebirth, Brandenburgers, and Libuše 2. INTERNATIONAL STYLES AND BRANDENBURGERS ...........................18 The Libretto Smetana, International Styles, and the Czech Audience International Styles in Brandenburgers Completion and Reception Looking Forward 3. INTERNATIONAL STEREOTYPE AND LIBUŠE.......................................40 “Czech” and “German” Musical Stereotypes during the Rebirth Stereotype and Libuše Conclusion 4. CONCLUSION................................................................................................68 BIBLIOGRAPHY..............................................................................................................71 2 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Cantabile-Cabaletta Aria in scenes 3-4, Act I, Brandenburgers .................................26 2. Bedřich Smetana, Brandenburgers, Act I, scene 3, mm. 409-415. .............................28 3. Bedřich Smetana, Brandenburgers, Act I, scene 3, mm. 432-435 ..............................29 4. Bedřich Smetana, Brandenburgers, Act I, scene 7, mm. 960-967 ..............................32 5. Bedřich Smetana, Brandenburgers, Act I, scene 7, mm. 1068-1082 .................... 33-34 6. Bedřich Smetana, Libuše, Act I, scene 1, mm. 1-7................................................ 51-52 7. Bedřich Smetana, Libuše, Act I, scene 1, mm. 15-17..................................................53 8. Bedřich Smetana, Libuše, Act I, scene 1, mm. 70-73..................................................54 9. Bedřich Smetana, Libuše, Act I, scene 2, mm. 178-180..............................................56 10. Bedřich Smetana, Libuše, Act I, scene 3, mm. 248-253..............................................58 11. Bedřich Smetana, Libuše, Act I, scene 4, mm. 700-704..............................................59 12. Bedřich Smetana, Libuše, Act II, scene 2, mm. 537-549.............................................59 13. Bedřich Smetana, Libuše, Act II, scene 2, mm. 573-575.............................................60 14. Bedřich Smetana, Libuše, Act II, scene 5, mm. 1291-1298.........................................62 15. Bedřich Smetana, Libuše, Act II, scene 4, mm. 1101-1106................................... 63-64 16. Bedřich Smetana, Libuše, Act II, scene 5, mm. 1291-1298................................... 65-66 3 Internationalism and Nationalism in Smetana’s Brandenburgers and Libuše Abstract By KELLY ST. PIERRE From his first opera, Braniboři v Čechách (Brandenburgers in Bohemia, 1866), composer Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) dedicated himself to the development of a Czech operatic repertoire. Czech society in turn from the mid 1870s gradually adopted the composer as the “creator of Czech nationalistic music.”1 Despite Smetana’s intent to establish an autonomous Czech musical identity, examination of both Brandenburgers and his fourth opera, Libuše (1881), reveals that he ultimately came to rely on international musical styles to create a Czech national aesthetic in his works. This paper will examine this larger artistic problem in which a Czech musical identity is contingent upon non-Czech sources by providing close readings of Brandenburgers and Libuše. Considering the ways in which Smetana borrowed and subverted international musical idioms as well as his audience’s reception of his techniques illuminates an exceptionally complicated relationship between Czech political nationalism and musical identity during the mid-nineteenth century. 1 Marta Ottlová, “Profiles; Bedřich Smetana,” Czech Music 1 (2004): 4. 4 Smetana, Nationalism, and the Rebirth Over the course of his career, composer Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) revealed in several letters that he considered his fourth opera, Libuše (1881), to be his greatest contribution to the Czech arts. In one instance he described the composition as, “the most perfect work on the highest dramatic plane,” and in another as “[of] unique importance in our history and literature.”2 He once even argued that Libuše was “the highest peak in the expression of Czech music.”3 For these reasons, Smetana allowed the work to be performed only for “festivals which affect the whole Czech nation” after his completion of the score in 1872.4 He consequently withheld the score for nine years until the opening of the National Theater (Národního divadla) in 1881 provided him with an appropriate occasion for the work’s premiere. Like Smetana’s opera, the theater had become a nationally charged symbol. Its construction was funded strictly by Czech donations for the purpose of presenting Czech theatrical works. The theater had become the most tangible symbol of the Czech National Rebirth (Národní obrození), a movement of renewed interest in Czech language, arts, and culture that culminated in the second half of the nineteenth century. A leader in the theater’s construction, Karel Sladkovský (1823-1880), addressed the building’s status as a cultural symbol: 2 Smetana to Ludevít Procházka, Prague, 36 September 1877, and Smetana to Josef Srb-Debmov, Prague, 20 December, 1880. Quoted passages are modified from translations found in Brian Large, Smetana (New York: Praeger, 1970), 215. Footnotes for all translated quotes included in this paper will first list information for the original source and then, following a comma and the abbreviation “trans.,” list the secondary source. It should be noted that the quotes have been modified in some instances to reflect phrasing more idiomatic to English. 3 Smetana to Dr. František Ladislav Rieger, 26 May 1882, trans. Ibid. 4 Smetana to Adolf Čech, 17 August 1883, trans. Ibid., 212. Smetana originally intended to premiere the opera at the coronation of Franz Joseph as king of Bohemia. Czechs hoped that this event would allow for more political sway within the Hapsburg Empire, but the coronation never took place. See John Clapham, Smetana, The Master Musicians Series (London: J. M. Dent and Sons LTD, 1972), 37-38. 5 We are not building just another theatre, but a National Theater, which must not only function as a theater, but must also represent the nation. This theater must be a monument of our rebirth. The National Theater must announce to all future ages the strength of our nation. The National Theater must be a great edifice.5 In celebration of the theater’s cultural project, one of the greatest national demonstrations in Czech history took place from May 15 to 17 during the laying of its foundation stones in 1868. Its opening was expected to incite a similarly strong national response.6 Smetana was awarded the opportunity to premiere Libuše at the opening of the National Theater after submitting the score to an opera contest. His active participation in Czech national life made his inclusion in the theater’s opening festivities appropriate to the occasion. From his first opera, Braniboři v Čechách (Brandenburgers in Bohemia, 1866), Smetana dedicated himself to the development of a Czech operatic repertoire. Czech society in turn from the mid 1870s gradually adopted the composer as the “creator of Czech nationalistic music.”7 Smetana was even included as an honored guest at the laying of the foundation stones for the National Theater, making his famous pronouncement, “Music—the life of the Czechs!” while striking the stone.8 In a letter written in 1882, Smetana acknowledged his growing celebrity and its influence on his artistic perspective. I must seek to keep that honorable and glorious position which my compositions have gained for me in my nation and in my country. – According to my merits and according to my efforts I am a Czech composer and the creator of the Czech style in the branches of dramatic and symphonic music – exclusively Czech.9 Smetana’s writing reveals his commitment to achieving an exclusively Czech musical identity, a goal that led him on an artistic mission to create a national aesthetic in his 5 Trans. Stanley Buchholz Kimball, Czech Nationalism: A Study of the National Theatre Movement (Urbana: University of Illinois, 1964), 61. 6 Ibid., 81, 130. 7 Marta Ottlová, “Profiles; Bedřich Smetana,” Czech Music 1 (2004): 4. 8 Trans. Clapham, 35. 9 Marta Ottlová, et al, “Smetana, Bedřich,” Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online