Composer

:

Antonin Dvorák

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

Feb 1877 - Jul 1877

Publication Date

:

1882

First Performance

:

Jan 27, 1878

Average_duration

:

118:15

The Cunning Peasant is an opera in three acts composed by Antonin Dvorák. The libretto was written by Josef Otakar Vesely, based on a play by Karel Sabina. The opera was composed in 1877 and premiered on May 18, 1878, at the Provisional Theatre in Prague. The plot of the opera revolves around the character of Matěj, a peasant who is known for his cunning and wit. Matěj is in love with the beautiful Dorotka, but her father, the wealthy farmer Michal, disapproves of their relationship. Michal wants Dorotka to marry the wealthy and powerful landowner, Jirka. Matěj, however, is determined to win Dorotka's hand in marriage and sets out to prove his worth. In the first act, Matěj tricks Jirka into believing that he is a wealthy landowner himself. Jirka is impressed by Matěj's wealth and agrees to help him win Dorotka's hand in marriage. In the second act, Matěj uses his cunning to outsmart Michal and win his approval for the marriage. However, Jirka discovers Matěj's true identity and exposes him as a peasant. Dorotka is heartbroken and agrees to marry Jirka. In the final act, Matěj comes up with a plan to win Dorotka back. He disguises himself as a wealthy merchant and tricks Jirka into believing that he is interested in buying his land. Jirka agrees to sell his land to the merchant, but Matěj reveals his true identity and exposes Jirka's greed. Dorotka is impressed by Matěj's cunning and agrees to marry him. The Cunning Peasant is characterized by its lively and humorous music, which reflects the playful and mischievous nature of the plot. The opera features a variety of musical styles, including folk melodies, dance music, and romantic arias. The score also includes several ensemble numbers, which showcase Dvorák's skill at writing for multiple voices. Overall, The Cunning Peasant is a charming and entertaining opera that showcases Dvorák's talent for creating memorable melodies and colorful characters. Its premiere in Prague was a great success, and the opera has since become a beloved part of the Czech operatic repertoire.

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