This paper offers an insight into the contemporary productions of Orpheus and Eurydice which have appeared in the world of opera in the Czech Republic and Slovakia in recent years (F. X. Šalda Theatre in Liberec, 2011, dir. Martin Otava; National Theatre in Prague, 2013, dir. Hartmut Schörghofer; Slovak National Theatre, 2008, dir. Mariusz Treliński). The author points out similarities and differences between the individual artistic concepts of the productions while focusing especially on the stage conception of the character of the central figure of Orpheus. The historical background with which the author opens her study serves as an introduction to Gluck’s opera reform in relation to his Orpheus and Eurydice.
The study focuses on the phenomenon of dream in two operas by Czech authors – Leoš Janáček (The Excursions of Mr. Brouček) and Bohuslav Martinů (Juliette). Both operas bring up specific aesthetic issues – dreaming in opera and opera in dream. The main part of the study is musical and drama analysis of respective operas and specific features and typology of dreams in meaning and drama structure of operas. It is specifically pointed out how dream represents musical concepts in both operas. Special attention is dedicated to interpretation of individual characters from the view of dream phenomenon. Both operas are characterized by different concept of dream phenomenon. Janáček was inspired by fantasy novella written by Svatopluk Čech and highlighted satirical elements even more. Brouček´ s dream is alcohol view of drunken Brouček. In this dream Brouček goes to the moon and to the 15th century to show its real nature. Thus, Janáček uses except for dream phenomenon also phenomenon of satire, irony and burlesque. Bohuslav Martinů used as a motif of the opera Juliette a surrealist play written by Georgese Neveuxe. The whole play is a dream. The dream is about young man who deals with the problem of his inner feelings. He desires for stability and the quest for his place in the world. By means of the character of Michel the composer points to surrealistic principle of search for meaning of life although dream is more important than reality.
This text offers a historical probe into the history of operas with an Orpheus theme. It maps out the individual epochs and introduces works which do not have an extensive tradition of reception and their productions appear in the repertoires of theatres only occasionally. The focus is especially on the period of Baroque where operas with an Orpheus theme are most heavily represented, and on 20th-century operas. On the other hand, this study does not pay attention to 19th-century opera because this mythological theme is not present in it. The exploration of the tradition of interpreting the mentioned opuses includes examples of contemporary productions.
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