DVOŘÁK Saint Ludmila

Adriana Kohútková, Soprano Karla Bytnarová, Alto Tomáš Černý, Ondrej Šaling, Tenor Peter Mikuláš,

Slovak Philharmonic and Leoš Svárovský 2 CD 1 Duet: Teď ptám se tě: co najít chceš? Antonín (‘Now I ask you: what do you want to find?’) Part I: Na nádvoří hradu mělnického 3 (Svatava , Ludmila ) 4:20 1 (‘In the courtyard of Mělnik Castle ’) Aria: Já neklamal se, buď vítána, dcero! (‘I was not under any illusion, be welcome, daughter!’) DV(18O41–Ř190Á4) K Introduction – Chorus: Tmy vrátily se v skrýše skal a lesů (‘Darkness has 4 (Ivan ) 3:30 returned to the nooks in the rocks and forests’) Ó, jaký obraz oku mému Svatá Ludmila ( ‘Saint Ludmila ’) 2 (Priests ) 8:32 (‘Oh, what a picture to my eye’) Recitative: Vesno smavá, Vesno snivá 5 (Bořivoj , Chorus ) 4:33 (1885–86) (‘Smiling Spring, dreamy Spring’) Recitative: Ach, ona, po níž srdce moje prahne 3 (Peasant ) 1:10 (‘Oh, she for whom my heart pines’) Chorus: Květy, jimiž Vesna vábí 6 (Bořivoj , Ivan ) 1:15 for soloists, choir and orchestra, Op. 71, B. 144 (‘Flowers with which Spring attracts’) Aria: Ó, cestu ukaž mi, jak ji mám dobýt 4 (People ) 4:24 (‘Oh, show me the way, how I am to conquer her’) Text: Jaroslav Vrchlický (1853–1912) Chorus: Svaté jitro jest 7 (Bořivoj ) 3:27 5 (‘The morning is sacred’) ( Priests , People ) 4:24 Recitative: Ó, kterak mohu zvednout k tobě zraku Ludmila ...... Adriana Kohútková , Soprano Aria: Od dětství ku oltáři mne vodil svatý cit 8 (‘Oh, how can I raise my eyes to you’) ( Ludmila ) 2:57 (‘From childhood a holy emotion led me to the altar’) Ó běda, nechce slyšet jeho lkání! Svatava , her companion ...... Karla Bytnarová , Alto 6 (Ludmila ) 3:51 (‘Oh, woe, she does not want to hear his lamenting!’) Bořivoj ...... Tomáš Černý , Tenor Chorus: Vždy bozi s námi jsou, kam bludný krok se šine 9 (Chorus ) 0:23 Recitative: Jak z krásného snu náhle procitlý Peasant ...... Ondrej Šaling , Tenor (‘The gods are always with us, wherever the mistaken 7 step edges slowly forward’) ( Chorus ) 3:19 (‘How, suddenly awake from a beautiful dream’) Ivan ...... Peter Mikuláš , Bass Sem rychle Vesny květ 0 (Bořivoj , Ivan ) 3:01 (‘Here quickly the flower of Spring’) Quartet: Já hledala jsem záři toho jitra 8 (Peasant ) 1:43 (‘I looked for the glow of that morn’) Slovak Philharmonic Choir Aria: Do prachu s Vámi! Jeden jest bůh! (Ludmila , Svatava , Bořivoj , Ivan , Chorus ) 3:40 (‘Into the dust with you! There is one god!’) Petr Fiala , Chorus Master 9 (Ivan , Chorus ) 4:48 Part III: V chrámu velehradském Chorus: Kdo onen muž, jejž nestih’ s nebe blesk? ! (‘In Velehrad Cathedral ’) Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra (‘Who is this man, whom lightning in the heavens Introduction – Hospodine, pomiluj ny! 0 did not strike?’) ( Chorus ) 4:17 @ (‘Lord, have mercy on us!’) ( Chorus ) 4:01 Leoš Svárovský Aria: Ó dovol, o dovol Duet: Ó, nech juž skanout nad našimi čely ! (‘Oh, allow me the courage’) ( Ludmila ) 6:34 (‘Oh, allow now to drop on our foreheads’) Chorus: Vše láme se a bortí v chaos tmavý # (Bořivoj , Ludmila ) 2:59 (‘Everything breaks and crumbles into a dark chaos’) Duchu svatý, sestup v nachu (Chorus ) 5:22 $ (‘Holy spirit, descend in purple’) ( Ivan , Priests ) 4:08 Ó, zněte, písně, zněte k nebes báni CD 2 (‘Oh, resound, songs, resound to the dome of heaven’) Part II: V lesích berounských % (Chorus , Svatava , Ivan ) 1:35 (‘In the Beroun forests ’) Hospodine, pomiluj ny! 1 (‘Lord, have mercy on us!’) Introduction – Recitative: Ó, v jaké šeré lesní stíny (Ludmila , Svatava , Bořivoj , Ivan , Chorus ) 4:29 (‘Oh, into what dim forest shadows’) – Aria: Já neměla ti víry dáti (‘I ought not have believed you’) ( Svatava ) 8:20 Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) Svatá Ludmila, Op. 71, B. 144 (1885–86) Antonín Dvořák was born in 1841, the son of a butcher through this contact that, impressed by Dvořák’s when the was heard again. 1885 brought a The second part is set in the woods near Beroun. In and innkeeper in the village of Nelahozeves, near entered for the award of 1877, Brahms third visit to London and his connection with England the background there is a hollow rock, with Ivan’s Kralupy, in Bohemia, and some 40 miles north of . was able to arrange for their publication by Simrock, who continued, particularly in choral works that were well hermitage. The scene is depicted in the orchestral It was natural that he should at first have been expected commissioned the , for piano duet. The suited to the flourishing traditions of choral music there. introduction. Ludmila’s companion Svatava is afraid to go to follow the family trade, as the eldest son. His musical success of these publications introduced Dvořák’s music By 1886 Dvořák was in England again, for the fifth further in the forest and recalls the anxieties and doubts abilities, however, soon became apparent and were to a much wider public, for which it held some exotic time. His oratorio Saint Ludmila , with a text by the poet that Ludmila has suffered. In the following duet she asks encouraged by his father, who in later years abandoned appeal. As his reputation grew, there were visits to Jaroslav Vrchlický, was commissioned for the Leeds Ludmila for her reason for their journey and is told that his original trade, to earn something of a living as a zither Germany and to England, where he was always received Festival and was performed there in October 1886 with an Ludmila is in search of the true God, revealed to her by player. After primary schooling he was sent to lodge with with greater enthusiasm than might initially have been orchestra of 120 players, a chorus of 250, and four the hermit. They see the hermitage and the Cross. Ivan an uncle in Zlonice and was there able to acquire the accorded a Czech composer in Vienna. distinguished soloists. The work was performed in London comes out and welcomes them, promising to reveal to necessary knowledge of German and improve his abilities In 1883 Dvořák had rejected a tempting proposal that and the score was dedicated to the Zerotin Choral and them the truth. Bořivoj is making his way through the as a musician, hitherto acquired at home in the village he should write a German opera for Vienna. At home he Music Society at Olomouc. The subject of the work woods and sees a hind restored to life by Ivan’s touch, to band and in church. Further study of German and of continued to contribute to Czech operatic repertoire, an reflected an important event in Bohemian history. Ludmila the consternation of Bořivoj’s men. He sees a girl, music at Kamenice, a town in northern Bohemia, led to important element in re-establishing national musical was the wife of Bořivoj, founder of the Přemyslid dynasty, apparently hiding among the rocks and questions Ivan, his admission in 1857 to the Prague Organ School, where identity. The invitation to take up a position in New York following whose example, in the usual version of these seeking to know where his journey leads. Ivan tells him to he studied for the following two years. was another matter. In 1891 he had become professor of events, she became a Christian, later to exert influence bow down, abandon heresy and worship Christ. Bořivoj On leaving the Organ School, Dvořák earned his composition at Prague Conservatory and in the summer over her grandson, Wenceslas. She was eventually obeys. Ludmila honours the prince and is urged by Ivan to living as a viola player in a band under the direction of of the same year he was invited to become director of the martyred. Canonised, she is the patron saint of Bohemia. understand that Bořivoj seeks Christ, as a new dawn Karel Komzák, an ensemble that was to form the nucleus National Conservatory of Music in New York, an institution The oratorio, which has also been given in staged or opens before them, with even Svatava finally convinced. of the Czech Provisional Theatre Orchestra, established that was intended to foster American music, hitherto semi-staged versions, follows the pattern to which English The scene closes with a choir of angels. in 1862. Four years later Smetana was appointed dominated by musicians from Europe or largely trained were accustomed in ever larger bodies of singers The third part is set in Velehrad Cathedral, where conductor at the theatre, where his operas The there. Whatever the ultimate success or failure of the as in the Handel festivals, with a suitably predominant Bořivoj and Ludmila are to be baptised. The orchestral Brandenburgers in Bohemia and The Bartered Bride had venture, Dvořák’s contribution was seen as that of part for the chorus. The first part of the oratorio is set in introduction is a jubilant march. The people plead for already been performed. It was not until 1871 that Dvořák providing a blueprint for American national music, the courtyard of the castle of Mělnik. In the middle of the mercy, singing a Kyrie eleison, and Bořivoj and Ludmila resigned from the orchestra, devoting himself more fully to following the example of Czech national music, which courtyard is a golden statue of the goddess Bába. The welcome their baptism. Ivan bids the Holy Spirit descend composition, as his music began to attract favourable owed so much to him. There were musical results in his orchestral introduction leads to a chorus of heathen upon the couple and Svatava adds her prayers to those of local attention. In 1873 he married a singer from the own work, notably in his Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New priests. A peasant praises the coming spring, followed by the assembled people, the whole work ending in a jubilant chorus of the theatre and in 1874 became organist of the World’ , and chamber music of the period, works that rely the people, in further praise of the goddess Bába, chorus, interrupted by hushed devotions, before the final church of St Adalbert. During this period he continued to strongly on the European tradition that he had inherited, continuing with worship of other pagan gods. Ludmila Kyrie eleison. support himself by private teaching, while busy on a while making use of melodies and rhythms that might be joins the worshippers in recitative and aria and the people series of compositions that gradually became known to a associated in one way or another with America. By 1895 resume their praise. Ludmila recalls the importance of the Keith Anderson wider circle, particularly with the success of his Hymnus: Dvořák was home for good, resuming work at the Prague gods in her life, echoed by the people. A peasant sings in Dědicové Bílé hory (‘The Heirs of the White Mountain’) for Conservatory, of which he became director in 1901. His honour of Spring. The people sense some growing the Prague Hlahol Vocal Society. final works included a series of symphonic poems and two disturbance. Ivan, entering, proclaims one God, one Further recognition came to Dvořák in 1874, when his more operas, to add to the nine he had already Truth, condemning the people’s idolatry, to their application for an Austrian government award brought his composed. He died in Prague in 1904. perturbation. In a moving aria Ludmila seeks to know the music to the attention of Brahms and the critic Eduard In 1884 Dvořák visited England for the first time, identity of the man and Ivan tells her of the true God. The Hanslick in Vienna. The granting of this award for five conducting there his Stabat Mater . A second invitation people express their doubts, exacerbated in a Handelian consecutive years was of material assistance. It was took him back to England, to Worcester, in the autumn, fugue, followed by a fervent prayer to their gods. 5 5 Svatá Ludmila Saint Ludmila Ludmila Ludmila Od dětství ku oltáři From childhood a holy emotion oratórium pro sóla, sbor a orchestr Oratorio for soloists, chorus and orchestra, mne vodil svatý cit, led me to the altar, na text Jaroslava Vrchlického to the text by Jaroslav Vrchlický kde sláva bohů září, where the gods’ glow blazes, jim bližší, bližší být! to be closer, closer to them! CD 1 CD 1 Tam sednout k stavu s nimi, To sit there with them at the loom, kde snují žití běh where they spin the journey of life Díl I. Na nádvoří hradu mělnického Part I. In the courtyard of Mělník castle a útky tajemnými and with secret wefts 1 1 let řídí sluncí všech! direct the flight of all suns! Úvod Introduction Pít věčné pravdy zřídla To drink the springs of eternal truth a chápat strom i květ, and understand the tree and flower, Sbor pohanských kněží Chorus of the pagan priests své duši dáti křídla to give wings to my soul Tmy vrátily se v skrýše skal a lesů, Darkness has returned to the nooks in the rocks and forests, a k slunci zaletět! and to fly towards the sun! den svítá, slunce záhy pozlatí the day is dawning, the sun will soon gilt the brows Ó, skryjte tváře v prachu, Oh, bury your faces in the dust, svých růží deštěm čela skalních tesů, of the rocky cliffs with a shower of its roses, vždy bozi s námi jsou, the gods are always with us, do země cév se život navrátí. life will return to the veins of the earth. v tmách noci, v bleskném nachu in the dark of the night, in the flashing purple Ó, slunce, září z nadpozemských krajů Oh, sun, brilliance from unearthly regions, nás vedou rukou svou! they lead us by the hand! s mdlých víček zažeň mdloby těžkých snů from tired eyelids drive away the unconsciousness 6 6 of heavy dreams Sbor Chorus a svěžest vdechni srdci písní hájů and breathe freshness into the heart with a song Vždy bozi s námi jsou, The gods are always with us, of the groves kam bludný krok se šine, wherever the mistaken step edges slowly forward, a oheň slunce, po němž ruce pnu! and the sun’s fire after which I stretch my hands! vždy bozi s námi jsou, the gods are always with us, 2 2 nám jejich ruka kyne, their hand waves to us, Rolník Peasant světlem a tmou a bouří zlou in light and darkness and fierce storm Vesno smavá, Vesno snivá, Smiling Spring, dreamy Spring, nás vedou září svou. they lead us with their glow. bud’ nám štěstím milostivá, be merciful to us with happiness, A nikdo nezahyne, And nobody will die, rozdechni v květ poupata, breathe buds into the flower, a nikdo nezahyne! and nobody will die! ty, jež’s láskou bohata. you who are rich in love. 7 7 3 3 Rolník Peasant Lid The people Sem rychle Vesny květ, Here quickly the flower of Spring, Květy, jimiž Vesna vábí, Flowers with which Spring attracts, at’ sochu ověnčíme, let us adorn the statue, plné vůně, plné rosy, full of fragrance, full of dew, sem koláče a med here cakes and honey oviňme kol čela Báby! let us entwine around the forehead of Bába! jí v obět’ položíme. we will place in sacrifice to her. Matko, slyš, jak pláč náš prosí, Mother, hear how our weeping implores, At’ zví to celý svět, Let the whole world learn zažeň od nás zimy dech, drive back from us the breath of winter, jak velkou paní ctíme! what a great lady we respect! vyslyš zbožné přání všech! grant the devout wish of all! At’ v písni na šalmaj In song on the shawm 4 4 zní cymbál, housle, dudy, let the cymbal, fiddle, bagpipes resound, Sbor kněží a lidu Chorus of priests and people at’ jásá celý kraj let the whole region be jubilant Svaté jitro jest a svatá noc je tmavá The morning is sacred and the sacred night is dark a plesem zvoní všudy! and in exultation ring throughout! a život lidský mezi nimi sen. and human life a dream between them. At’ máj květ vdechne v háj Let May breathe flowering into the grove Budiž bohům věčným nesmrtelná sláva, Let undying glory be to the eternal gods, a zlaté zrno v hrudy! and golden grain into the earth! Svantovít bud’, Radhošt’ veleben! let Svantovít and Radhošt’ be glorified! 8 8 0 0 Ivan Ivan Ludmila Ludmila Do prachu s vámi! Jeden jest bůh! Into the dust with you! There is one god! Ó dovol, abych zlíbat směla Oh, allow me the courage Jedna jest pravda, jíž spějem výš, There is one truth, let us proceed higher for it, tvých nohou prach to smother with kisses jedno jest světlo, tím je kříž! there is one light, with it is the cross! a rozplynout se směla the dust of your feet 9 9 celá ve slzách! and in tears to melt away completely! Sbor Chorus Kdo’s, muži svatý, úcta hrozná Who are you, holy man? A terrible respect Kdo onen muž, jejž nestih’ s nebe blesk? Who is this man, whom lightning in the heavens mne nutí kleknout před tebou, compels me to kneel down before you, did not strike? však otce v tom zrak v tobě pozná, but my sight recognises in you a father, jenž vlídnost pojí s velebou. whose friendliness is united with majesty. Ivan Ivan Ó rci, kam sledujíc tvé kroky, O say where, following your footsteps, V prach země padni, z kterého jsi vstala, Fall into the dust of the earth, from which you rose by duše vroucí let se nes? the sincere soul takes flight? to your feet, Ó, světla otevři mi toky Oh, open for me the streams of light, ó, modlo zlatá, kove bídný, podlý! Oh, golden idol, in metal miserable, base! chci do nebes! I want to go to heaven! Čas, aby zář pravého slunce vzplála, Time for the glare of the true sun to blaze up, Ó dovol, abych zlíbat směla Oh, allow me the courage zde Kristův kříž, zde, lide můj, se modli! here the cross of Christ, here, my people, pray! tvých nohou prach to smother with kisses Do prachu s vámi! Jeden jest bůh! Into the dust with you! There is one god! a rozplynout se směla the dust of your feet Jedna jest pravda, jíž spějem výš, There is one truth, let us proceed higher for it, celá ve slzách! and in tears to melt away completely! jedno jest světlo, tím je kříž! there is one light, with it is the cross! ! ! Sbor Chorus Sbor Chorus Vše láme se a bortí v chaos tmavý, Everything breaks and crumbles into a dark chaos, Kdo onen muž, jejž nestih’ s nebe blesk? Who is this man, whom lightning in the heavens a vše se v propast plnou stínu noří, and everything is submerged in a chasm full of shadow, did not strike? vše úpí, kvílí, a se zmítá v noci. everyone groans, howls, and tosses and turns in the night. Jak velký stín on prošel mezi davy Like a large shadow he walked among the throngs Vše láme se a celý vesmír propadává tmám! Everything breaks and the whole universe is sinking a v očích jemu svítil divný lesk, and in his eyes a strange glare shone, in the dark! a v chumáčích vlas lítal mu kol hlavy and his hair in tufts flew around his head Ó, světlo věčné, které nad blankytem se miháš, Oh, eternal light, which flickers above the azure sky, a ruku zved, ó, děsná hromu rána, and he raised his hand, oh, a terrible crash of thunder, vládnouc tam zlatým slunce štítem, governing there with the sun’s golden shield, a socha padla jako bleskem sklána. and the statue fell as if from a bolt of lightning. slet’ dolů v trysku hbitém, osvit’ cestu nám! fly down in an agile gallop, illuminate the journey for us! Slyš nářky žen a dětí kvílení, Hear the complaints of the women and the weeping of the children, jak žalobně se svatým hájem nesou, as they are borne protesting through the holy grove, CD 2 CD 2 ó, strašlivé a smutné úpění, oh, ghastly and sad groaning, i stromy pláčí, korunami třesou. even the trees weep, their crowns shake. Díl II. V lesích berounských Part II. In the Beroun forests Ten nový bůh v svět nese zničení. The new god will bring annihilation into the world. 1 1 Pomoc! Pomoc! Staří bozi kde jsou? Help! Help! Where are the old gods? Úvod Introduction Kdo onen muž, jejž nestih’ s nebe blesk? Who is this man, whom lightning in the heavens did not strike? Svatava Svatava Jak velký stín on prošel mezi davy Like a large shadow he walked among the throngs Ó, v jaké šeré lesní stíny Oh, into what dim forest shadows a v očích jemu svítil divný lesk, and in his eyes a strange glare shone, se, paní moje, ubíráš. you proceed, my lady. a v chumáčích vlas lítal mu kol hlavy and his hair in tufts flew around his head, Skal tesy rostou v strmé klíny, The rock fissures grow into steep wedges, a ruku zved, ó, děsná hromu rána, and he raised his hand, oh, a terrible crash of thunder, co hvozdů temná, děsná stráž. like a dark, terrible guard of the forests. a socha padla jako bleskem sklána. and the statue fell as if from a bolt of lightning. I zvěř tu prchá zděšená, Even the frightened game here flees, jen v skalách mluví ozvěna, an echo sounds only in the rocks, ó srdce moje hrůza chvátí, oh a terror seizes my heart, že pouze on mne pochyb zbaví. that only he will remove my doubt. ne, s tebou nepůjdu více dál! no, with you I will not go further! Hled’, cosi u vchodu se míhá sluje, Look, something at the entrance of the cave flickers, Já neměla ti víry dáti, I ought not have believed you, jak zadržeti ňader těžký ston, how to hold back a heavy groan in my bosom; když vedla’s mne sem v stíny skal. when you led me here into the shadows of the rocks. kdos vystupuje, to on! someone emerges, it is he! Víš, od té doby, onen kmet You know, from the time that old man 3 3 co objevil se na Mělníce, appeared in Mělník, Ivan Ivan tvou duší víří příval běd, a flood of woes has whirled in your soul, Já neklamal se, bud’ vítána, dcero! I was not under any illusion, be welcome, daughter! ty nemáš klidu, stání více. you are not at peace, you are more on edge. Tě neděsilo tedy lesů šero, The dusk of the forests did not frighten you, To divné kouzlo, jež z jeho slov That strange wonder, which from his words skal útesy a výmol cest then, the cliff rocks and potholes on the journey se jako bouřná blýskavice lilo, rained down like sheet lightning, a zvěře řvaní, balvan, klest; and the roaring of the game, boulder, brushwood; jak schvátilo tě, jak tě podmanilo! how it weakened you, how it conquered you! jak tušil jsem, tys přišla přec! I felt that you would come nevertheless! Jak vyhnalo tě z hradu stěn, How it drove you out of the castle walls, Jak horlivá, tak bud’ též stálá, Be as constant as you are eager, jak posilou ti cestou bylo! how it was a support on the journey for you! já odhalím ti nové věci, I will reveal new matters to you, Jak změněn den tvůj i tvůj sen, How changed your day and also your dream, tu pravdu, jež se v kříži skrývá the truth which is concealed in the cross jak pevná k chůzi slabá noha! how sturdy the tread of weak legs! a požehnáním na svět splývá. and with a blessing falls down upon the world. Já cítím, že tvůj život celý I feel that your whole life 4 4 byl dosud blud a klam a lež! was so far a heresy and a delusion and a lie! Bořivoj Bořivoj 2 2 Ó, jaký obraz oku mému Oh, what a picture to my eye Svatava Svatava se v stínu lesním otvírá! is being opened in the woodland shade! Ted’ ptám se tě: co najít chceš? Now I ask you: what do you want to find? Laň poraněná šípem v boku A hind wounded in the side by an arrow Ó rci, proč tvé sem kroky spěly? Oh say, why were your steps headed here? ve posledním juž padla skoku, has fallen in its last leap, u nohou starce umírá. is dying at the feet of the old man. Ludmila Ludmila On rukou nad ní dělá znamení, With his hand above her he makes a sign, Já pravého chci najít boha; I want to find the true god; šíp vytáh; ó, hrůzo! Jaké zděšení! pulls out the arrow; oh, horror! What consternation! což nevíš, co mně řekl sám: do you not know what he himself said to me: Laň zdráva lehá k němu blíže The healed hind lies down nearer to him “Vstup v nitro své, ‘Enter into your heart, a vděčně ruce jeho líže! and gratefully licks his hand! mým bytem není země, my house is not of the world, však sama najdeš mne but you yourself will find me Bořivojova družina Bořivoj’s entourage a přijdeš ke mně!” and you will come to me!’ Mne jímá strach, mne jímá děs, I am gripped by fear, I am seized by terror, A poslušná já pospíchám. And obediently I hurry. je po radostech lovu dnes; the joys of the hunt today are past; ký zloboh nám to v cestu sem what kind of evil impedes us on the journey Svatava Svatava se divným staví zázrakem! here as a strange wonder! Viz, kterak trhlina tam v skále zeje, See, how a fissure yawns in the rock, ji kořen stromu svislý zpola kreje, the vertical root of a tree half-covers it, Bořivoj Bořivoj a v skále před ním trochu výš and in the rock in front of it a little higher Ó, jaká sličná mladá dívka Oh, what a comely young girl ční divné znamení, ten kříž! towers a strange sign, the cross! se tají v skále zraku mému, hides herself from my sight in the rock, Jej v ruce měl, když přišel v hrad, He had it in his hand when he arrived at the castle, co divně v ňadro se mi vkrádá what strangely creeps into my breast ten kříž, ten kříž! the cross, the cross! a praví srdci vzbouřenému: and says to a disturbed heart: Zde cíl a konec lovů tvých, Here the destination and end of your hunts, Ludmila Ludmila na jiný lov se vypravíš! you will set off on a different hunt! Pojd’, nahlédněm, tam bydlí snad. Come, let us have a look, maybe he lives there. Ó, starče, stůj mi rychle v slovu, Oh, old man, say to me quickly in a word Mně srdce tluk to hlasně praví, My heartbeat is saying to me resoundingly, kdo jsi, kdo ona, promluv již! who you are, who she is, start speaking now! 7 7 Bořivojova družina Bořivoj’s entourage Ludmila Ludmila Ó, kterak mohu zvednout k tobě zraku, Oh, how can I raise my eyes to you, Mne jímá strach, mne jímá děs, I am gripped by fear, I am seized by terror, ku výši tvé, ó, kníže všemocný? to your level, oh, omnipotent prince? je po radostech lovu dnes; the joys of the hunt today are past; Já pravdu hledám zde, jež skryta v mraku, I seek the truth here which is hidden in the cloud, ký zloboh nám to v cestu sem what kind of evil impedes us on the journey a k tomu Ivan byl mi pomocný. and for that Ivan helped me. se divným staví zázrakem! here as a strange wonder! 8 8 5 5 Sbor Chorus Bořivoj Bořivoj Ó běda, nechce slyšet jeho lkání! Oh, woe, she does not want to hear his lamenting! Ach, ona, po níž srdce moje prahne Oh, she for whom my heart pines 9 9 jak po sluneční září mladý den! as a young day for the sun’s glow! Bořivoj Bořivoj Ó, kmete, mluv, kde cesta jen se táhne, Oh, old man, speak only where the journey proceeds, Jak z krásného snu náhle procitlý, How, suddenly awake from a beautiful dream, chci věřit, chci být k světlu uveden. I want to believe, I want to be introduced to the light. se svíjím u tvých nohou: Smilování! I writhe at your feet: Mercy!

Ivan Ivan Ivan Ivan Nu, tak se pokoř divům božím; Well, humble yourself then to God’s wonders; To učil z kříže, dcero, Bůh tvůj nový; That, daughter, your new God taught from the cross; v tvou ruku, chceš-li, její složím, into your hand, if you want, I will put hers, ó, dej mu ruku, ó, dej! Přátelskými slovy oh, give him your hand, oh, do! With friendly words však musíš bludů starých nechat, but you must abandon old heresies, tu velkou ránu jeho zahoj nitra; heal that great wound of his heart; jak ona za světlem spěchat, as she rushes after the light, což nevidíš, vždyt’ křest’anem chce býti! do you not see that after all he wants to be a Christian! jímž Kristus jest! which is Christ! Ó, svol jen, svol a zář nového jitra Oh, just give your consent, give your consent and the nad celou vlastí vzplane v lepší žití! glow of a new morning will blaze forth over the whole land Bořivoj Bořivoj into a better life! Chci podstoupiti všecko, I want to undergo everything, 0 0 já drsný lovec v rukou tvých jsem děcko. I a raw huntsman am a child in your hands. Ludmila Ludmila Ó, ved’ mne, kam chceš, jen ona když Oh, lead me where you want, if only she Já hledala jsem záři toho jitra I looked for the glow of that morn na konci této pouti u mne stane! at the end of this pilgrimage will stand with me! a cítila jsem v sobě lepší žití… and felt within me a better life…

Ivan Ivan Svatava Svatava Tvá duše bludem těžkých hříchů stoná Your soul suffers with the heresy of serious sins Já tonu v tmách, ó kde jsi, záře jitra? I am sinking in the dark, oh where are you, a její jako rajská lilje plane. and hers blazes like a heavenly lily. glow of the morning? Čím v rukou osudu je lidské žití? For what in the hands of fate is human life? 6 6 Bořivoj Bořivoj Ó, cestu ukaž mi, jak ji mám dobýt, Oh, show me the way, how I am to conquer her, Bořivoj Bořivoj chci všechno podniknout, poklekám, I want to undertake everything, I am going down Ó, divuplné kouzlo toho jitra, Oh, the wondrous magic of the morning on my knees, v směr jiný obrací se moje žití… turns my life in a different direction… chci duši květem svatých ctností zdobit I want to decorate my soul with a flower of my virtue a pokání se zkoušky nelekám! and I will not be afraid of repentance and tests! Ivan Ivan Svůj trůn, své žezlo k nohoum tobě skládám, My throne, my sceptre I lay down at your feet, Ó, svol jen, svol a zář nového jitra Oh, just give your consent, give your consent and the nad celou vlastí vzplane v lepší žití… glow of a new morning will blaze up above the whole land před křížem Krista i před tebou padám, I fall before the cross of Christ and also before you. into a better life… před křížem Krista Pána na kolena padám! I kneel down before the cross of Christ the Lord! Ludmila Ludmila …z mých očí slzy a modlitba z nitra …from my eyes tears and a prayer from my heart se nesly k světlu, které z kříže svítí! were carried towards the light which shines from the cross! Svatava Svatava Díl III. V chrámu velehradském Part III. In Velehrad Cathedral Čím naše naděje a tuchy nitra, For what our heart’s hope and forebodings, ! ! čím slza, která v oku lásky svítí? for what the tear which shines in the eye of love? Úvod Introduction

Bořivoj Bořivoj Sbor Chorus …a květy pučí z pouště mého nitra …and flowers sprout from the desert of my heart Hospodine, pomiluj ny! Lord, have mercy on us! a nové slunce v nový život svítí! and a new sun shines on a new world! Jezu Kriste, pomiluj ny! Jesus Christ, have mercy on us! Spasiteli všehomíra, Saviour of all peace, Ivan Ivan spasiž nás i uslyšiž, deliver us and hear, …tma ustoupí a Satana léč chytrá …the darkness withdraws and Satan’s clever trap Hospodine, hlasy naše! Lord, our voices! se v slunci rozplyne, jež z kříže svítí! melts away in the sun which shines from the cross! Hospodine, pomiluj ny! Lord, have mercy on us! Jezu Kriste, pomiluj ny! Jesus Christ, have mercy on us! Ludmila Ludmila Dej nám všem, Hospodine, Give us all, Lord, Ty s tváří otce, slovem apoštola With the face of a father, by the word of an apostle hojnost, pokoj v naší zemi! abundance, peace in our land! mne povznášíš až nad edenský práh. you exalt me above the dust of Eden. Kyrie eleison! Kyrie eleison! Hospodine, pomiluj ny! Lord, have mercy on us! Svatava Svatava Jezu Kriste, pomiluj ny! Jesus Christ, have mercy on us! Ač zdráhám se, vím, duch můj neodolá, Although I hesitate, I know my spirit does not resist, Spasiž nás i uslyšiž, Deliver us and hear, má celá minulost se kácí v prach. my whole past falls down into the dust. Hospodine, hlasy naše! Lord, our voices! Dej nám všem, Hospodine, Give us all, Lord, Bořivoj Bořivoj hojnost, pokoj v naší zemi! abundance, peace in our land! Vše nadarmo, má duše neodolá, All in vain, my soul does not resist, Kyrie eleison! Kyrie eleison! ó, světlo žití, vítej, vítej v tmách. oh, light of life, welcome, welcome in the dark. @ @ Bořivoj a Ludmila Bořivoj and Ludmila Ivan Ivan Ó, nech juž skanout nad našimi čely Oh, allow now to drop on our foreheads Vzplá srdce touhou, duše neodolá The heart blazes with desire, the soul does not resist, tu svatou vláhu čisté rajské rosy! the holy moisture of the pure heavenly dew! a křídlem lásky letí v rajský nach. and with love’s wing it flies into the heavenly purple. Duch letí výš a slzí příval vřelý, The spirit flies higher up, and the hot flood of tears a vzdechů proud o smilování prosí! and the current of sighs beg for mercy! Sbor andělů Chorus of angels # # Níž s říše rajské skrz červánků svit Down from the heavenly empire through Ivan Ivan the dawn’s sunshine Duchu svatý, sestup v nachu, Holy spirit, descend in purple, juž nachylme se mraků peřejemi, let us now bend ourselves with cataracts of clouds, zemského se dotkni prachu; touch earth’s dust; tam divem lásky spasen bude lid, there by a miracle of love the people will be saved, zacloniž je s výsosti cover them from high above Pán žehná jemu svými divy všemi, the Lord blesses it with all his marvels, nad hvězdnou svou milostí! with your heavenly grace! ráj sám to uklání se k české zemi. paradise itself bows down to the Czech land. Synu, jenž jsi z dřeva kříže Son, who from a wooden cross spasil svět, k nim nakloň se níže, saved the world, bend low to them Bořivojova družina Bořivoj’s entourage nad květ lilijí a sníh over the blossom of the lilies and the snow, Slyš! Slyš! Hark! Hark! očist’ hříšné duše jich! purge their sinful souls! Andělé jen šumí perutěmi Angels only rustle their wings $ $ a Bůh sám s výše žehná české zemi. and God himself on high blesses the Czech land. Sbor lidu Chorus of the people Ó, zněte, písně, zněte k nebes báni Oh, resound, songs, resound to the dome of heaven a vyproste jim zdar a požehnání! and obtain for them success and a blessing! Svatava Svatava Adriana Kohútková Ty, jenž jsi vesmíru vládce, You, who are ruler of the universe, ostříhej své věrné stádce, take care of your faithful flock, Adriana Kohútková was born in Bratislava, Slovakia. After graduating she made her roztáhni své lásky dlaň, stretch out the palm of your love, professional debut at the Slovak National Theatre. She has performed a varied repertoire, všechny věrné Čechy chraň! protect all faithful ! and appeared at many prestigious opera houses including the Oper der Stadt Bonn, the Grand Théâtre de Genève, the Tonhalle, Zürich and the National Theatre, Prague, where Sbor I a II, Svatava, Ivan Chorus I and II, Svatava, Ivan she made her debut as Elisabeth in Don Carlo . Kohútková has won several awards, Ty, jenž jsi vesmíru vládce, You, who are ruler of the universe, including for the roles of Desdemona and Jenůfa. Besides her opera career, Kohútková ostříhej své věrné stádce, take care of your faithful flock, performs regularly in recitals throughout the world with conductors such as Sylvain roztáhni své lásky dlaň, stretch out the palm of your love, Cambreling, Manfred Honeck and Christoph von Dohnányi. všechny věrné Čechy chraň, protect all faithful Czechs, dokud v plesu svém a tísni while in rejoicing and apprehension ctít tě budou otců písní. they will honour you with the song of the fathers. % % Ludmila, Svatava, Bořivoj, Ivan Ludmila, Svatava, Bořivoj, Ivan Hospodine, pomiluj ny!... Lord, have mercy on us!...

Sbor Chorus Hospodine, pomiluj ny!... Lord, have mercy on us!...

Ludmila, Svatava, Bořivoj, Ivan, Sbor Ludmila, Svatava, Bořivoj, Ivan, Chorus Karla Bytnarová Hospodine, pomiluj ny!... Lord, have mercy on us!... Spasiteli všehomíra, Saviour of all peace, Karla Bytnarová studied at the conservatories in Pardubice and Munich. In 1997 she won spasiž nás i uslyšiž, Deliver us and hear, the vocal competition of German conservatories in Augsburg and was awarded Hospodine, hlasy naše! Lord, our voices! a scholarship to the Bayreuther Festspiele. She has also been awarded prizes at Dej nám všem, Hospodine, Give us all, Lord, international competitions such as the Antonín Dvořák International Singing Competition, hojnost, pokoj v naší zemi! abundance, peace in our land! Karlovy Vary and the Ema Destinnová Competition, České Budějovice. She was a semi- Kyrie eleison! Kyrie eleison! finalist at the Belvedere Singing Competition, Vienna and the ARD International Music Competition, Munich, and a finalist at the Ranieri I Cestelli Competition in Munich and in English translation by John Clapham Merano. In 1996 she became a member of the Opera Studio of the Bayerische Staatsoper. Tomáš Černý Peter Mikuláš

Czech tenor Tomáš Černý has performed in opera houses around Europe in roles such as The Slovak bass Peter Mikuláš made his debut at the Slovak National Theatre in 1978. Don José ( Carmen ), Cavaradossi ( Tosca ), Laca ( Jenůfa ), Jeník ( The Bartered Bride ), and A winner of various competitions, he was honoured by the Slovak Theatre artists for his the title roles in Lohengrin and The Tales of Hoffmann . He was awarded the Thalia Award performance in Suchoň’s Svätopluk . Since 1980 Mikuláš has made guest appearances 2000 and the 2005 Prague Festival Opera prize, and is a specialist in the concert at the National Theatre of Prague and the Berliner Staatsoper, as well as appearing repertoire of Dvořák. His recording of Dvořák’s , released on ArcoDiva, was internationally. He appeared at the 1990 Edinburgh Festival in Faust , and at the Teatro awarded a Tokusen (‘Exclusive Recommendation’) in Japan in 2011. Černý has dell’Opera di Roma in 1994 in . His repertoire encompasses operas by Verdi, performed in concerts at the Oji Hall, Tokyo, throughout Europe and at the Palacio de Mozart and Dvořák among others, and bel canto roles. Mikuláš has also appeared with Bellas Artes in Mexico City. in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

www.tomascerny.cz

Slovak Philharmonic Choir

Photo: Jan Lukas The Slovak Philharmonic Choir, originally the Mixed Choir of the Czechoslovak Radio, was founded by conductor Ladislav Slovák in 1946, becoming part of the Slovak Philharmonic group in 1957. Ondrej Šaling Jan Maria Dobrodinský led the choir for over 20 years from 1955, and it has since been led by Valentin Iljin, Lubomír Mátl, Štefan Tenor Ondrej Šaling studied concert and opera singing at the Academy of Fine Arts in Klimo, Pavel Baxa, Pavol Procházka, Marián Vach, Blanka Bratislava while working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic. He Juhaňáková and Jan Rozehnal. Jozef Chabroň has served as frequently performs lyric operatic roles, such as Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore and Arturo in chorus master since 2014. The choir has received praise from I puritani , and has appeared in opera houses both in his home country of Slovakia and around renowned conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Riccardo Chailly the world. Šaling has also performed many concert works by Rossini, Dvořák and Orff. and Esa-Pekka Salonen, among many others. In addition to regular performances at home, the choir undertakes frequent tours abroad. It has collaborated with numerous prestigious orchestras, has performed at many international festivals, and has a rich discography. Highlights of the 2018/19 season include Les Troyens at the Wiener Staatsoper, concerts with Rastislav Štúr and Thomas Sanderling, and performances of Mahler’s Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3 with and Yutaka Sado.

www.filharmonia.sk Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra

Photo: Peter Brenkus The Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra was established in 1949 by the esteemed conductors Václav Talich and Ľudovít Rajter. Other chief conductors who have played an instrumental role in the Orchestra’s musical evolution include Tibor Frešo, Ladislav Slovák, Libor Pešek, Vladimir Verbitsky, Bystrík Režucha, , Ondrej Lenárd, Jiří Bělohlávek, Vladimír Válek, , Emmanuel Villaume, James Judd, Leoš Svárovský, Rastislav Štúr and . In addition, the Orchestra has performed under the batons of some of the world’s greatest conductors including Claudio Abbado, , Christoph von Dohnányi, Mariss Jansons, Neeme Järvi, Riccardo Muti and Kirill Kondrashin as well as Krzysztof Penderecki and Aram Khachaturian. The orchestra has made numerous recordings and has toured extensively throughout the world. Highlights of 2019 include a performance at the Kontrapunkt-Konzerte at the Cologne Philharmonic led by Rastislav Štúr and Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 in Oman with Emmanuel Villaume, and an appearance at the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern in Switzerland. www.filharmonia.sk

Leoš Svárovský

Photo: Tomáš Hulík Leoš Svárovský studied flute and conducting at the Academy of Music in Prague as the last student of the renowned professor Václav Neumann. He started his career at the National Theatre in Prague as assistant to Zdeněk Košler and subsequently went on to hold principal positions with the Prague Chamber Opera, the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra Ostrava, the Brno Philharmonic, the Žilina State Chamber Orchestra, the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Pardubice and the Prague State Opera. During 2011–18 he was principal guest conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. Today, he is the principal conductor of the Central Aichi Symphony Orchestra, Nagoya. Svárovský is a regular guest at various important music festivals in the Czech Republic and abroad. His engagements in the forthcoming concert season include concert tours in Germany, Korea, Switzerland, Austria and Japan, among others. His discography contains more than 24 albums with several different record companies from around the world. www.leossvarovsky.com Antonín Dvořák’s success in Europe during the 1880s led to invitations to visit England and the commissioning of his oratorio Saint Ludmila for the Leeds Festival. It tells the moving and turbulent story of Ludmila’s conversion to Christianity, an important event in Bohemian history that led to her becoming Bohemia’s patron saint. Written for large forces and with a predominant part for the chorus in the tradition of Handel, Saint Ludmila is full of Dvořák’s typical warmth and melodic beauty, and stands alongside his Stabat Mater and Requiem as one of his greatest works. Antonín

DV(1O841–Ř1904Á) K Svatá Ludmila (‘Saint Ludmila’) (1885–86) Oratorio for soloists, choir and orchestra, Op. 71, B. 144 Text: Jaroslav Vrchlický (1853–1912) Ludmila ...... Adriana Kohútková, Soprano Svatava, her companion ...... Karla Bytnarová, Alto Bořivoj ...... Tomáš Černý, Tenor Peasant ...... Ondrej Šaling, Tenor Ivan ...... Peter Mikuláš, Bass Slovak Philharmonic Choir Petr Fiala, Chorus Master Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra • Leoš Svárovský

1CD! 1 48:30 1CD0 2 52:53 – Part I: In the courtyard !–% Part II: In the Beroun forests 35:37 of Mělnik Castle 48:30 – Part III: In Velehrad Cathedral 17:14

A detailed cast and track list can be found on pages 2 and 3 of the booklet. The Czech sung texts and English translations can be found inside the booklet, and may also be accessed at www.naxos.com/libretti/574023.htm Recorded live: 29–30 April 2015 at the Concert Hall of the Slovak Philharmonic, Bratislava, Slovakia Producer: Marek Piaček • Engineer: Václav Frkal • Booklet notes: Keith Anderson Cover: Saint Ludmila, Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Iowa City, USA