Dvorak: Jakobin / Pinkas

2 CD - Label: Supraphon - 112190 - The Jacobin - Dvorak, Antonin - Orchestra: Brno State Philharmonic - Choir: Brno State Chorus - Conductor: Jiri Pinkas

“This was the first (and, so far, only) recording of Dvorák's charming village comedy – for the Jacobin of the title isn't a political activist but a young man, Bohuš, returning from exile in Paris to his stuffy old father, Count Vilém. The subplots include all manner of misunderstandings, and set in the middle of them is the touching figure of Benda, the fussy, rather pedantic but wholly moving music-master. Dvorák is known to have had in mind his own boyhood teacher, Antonín Liehmann, whose daughter gives her name, Terinka, to Benda's daughter. Beno Blachut celebrated his 64th birthday during the making of this set. His was a long career, as well as one of great distinction; he's still well able to get round the lines of this part, and gives an affecting picture of the old musician, never more so than in the rehearsing of the welcome ode. This is an idea that's cropped up in opera before, but it's charmingly handled here. Václav Zítek sings Bohuš pleasantly and Marcela Machotková trips away lightly as Julie. Vilém PSibyl sounds less than his most energetic, though his voice is in good fettle; and there's some lack of drive from Jirí Pinkas, who might have done more to bring out the often witty touches in Dvorák's scoring. Never mind: this revived version of a delightful piece can be safely recommended.”

Price: $42.98

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