Betty Fibichová
Encyclopedia
Betty Fibichová was a Czechoslovak opera singer and the wife of composer Zdeněk Fibich
. The greatest Czech operatic contralto
of her day, she enjoyed close artistic partnerships with both Antonín Dvořák
and Bedřich Smetana
in addition to collaborating frequently with her husband.
, Fibichová made her professional opera debut at the Provisional Theatre
in 1868. Later that year Bedřich Smetana
became her artistic manager, and she became highly involved with his group of artists that would later be established at the Prague National Theatre
. She notably sang at the opening of the theatre on 11 June 1881 as Radmilla in the world premiere of Smetana's Libuše
; a performance given in honor of the visit of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria
. Sadly a fire broke in the new theatre on the following 12 August 1881 which destroyed the copper dome, the auditorium and stage of the theatre. The theatre was repaired and reopened on 18 November 1883 with a reprisal of Libuše with the same cast.
Fibichová sang in two more premieres of operas by Smetana at the New Czech Theatre during her career. On 18 September 1878 she portrayed Panna Roza in the world premiere of The Secret
at the Nové České Divadlo (New Czech Theatre). She then appeared as Záviš in the first production of The Devil's Wall
on 29 October 1882. Fibichová also sang in a number of world premieres of works by Antonín Dvořák. On 17 April 1876 she sang the role of Homena in the premiere of Vanda
. She sang the role of Veruna in the first performance of The Cunning Peasant
in Prague in 1878. On 2 October 1881 she starred as Říhová in the first production of The Stubborn Lovers
. In 1887 she portrayed Anna in the first performance of the revised version of King and Charcoal Burner
, a role she had previously sung in the work's premiere on 24 November 1874.
In 1875 Fibichová married Zdeněk Fibich who, while less known than Dvořák or Smetana, was one the greatest Czech composers of the day. She sang in the premieres of a number of operas by her husband, most notably Isabella in The Bride of Messina
in Prague on 28 March 1884. Other roles she originated for her husband were Eliška in Bukovín and Perchta in Blaník. The couple separated in 1895, after which point Fibich lived with his lover and frequent artistic collaborator, librettist Anežka Schulzová.
Fibichová also sang works from the French, Italian, German, and Russian opera repertories during her career. She was also an active concert soloist. She retired from the stage in 1900, the same year that her husband died. She died in Prague in May the following year at the age of 55.
Zdenek Fibich
Zdeněk Fibich was a Czech composer of classical music. Among his compositions are chamber works , symphonic poems, three symphonies, at least seven operas , melodramas including the substantial trilogy Hippodamia,...
. The greatest Czech operatic contralto
Contralto
Contralto is the deepest female classical singing voice, with the lowest tessitura, falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. It typically ranges between the F below middle C to the second G above middle C , although at the extremes some voices can reach the E below middle C or the second B above...
of her day, she enjoyed close artistic partnerships with both Antonín Dvořák
Antonín Dvorák
Antonín Leopold Dvořák was a Czech composer of late Romantic music, who employed the idioms of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. Dvořák’s own style is sometimes called "romantic-classicist synthesis". His works include symphonic, choral and chamber music, concerti, operas and many...
and Bedřich Smetana
Bedrich Smetana
Bedřich Smetana was a Czech composer who pioneered the development of a musical style which became closely identified with his country's aspirations to independent statehood. He is thus widely regarded in his homeland as the father of Czech music...
in addition to collaborating frequently with her husband.
Biography
Born Betty Hanušová in JilemniceJilemnice
Jilemnice is a town in the Czech Republic.Belonged to the younger branch of counts Harrach.-Notable persons from Jilemnice:*Jan Weiss - Writer*Ales Vodsedalek - Nordic combined skier*Jakub Hlava - Ski jumper*Lukas Hlava - Ski jumper...
, Fibichová made her professional opera debut at the Provisional Theatre
Provisional Theatre (Prague)
The Prague Provisional Theatre was erected in 1862 as a temporary home for Czech drama and opera until a permanent National Theatre could be built. It opened on 18 November 1862 and functioned for 20 years, during which time over 5,000 performances were presented. Between 1866 and 1876 the theatre...
in 1868. Later that year Bedřich Smetana
Bedrich Smetana
Bedřich Smetana was a Czech composer who pioneered the development of a musical style which became closely identified with his country's aspirations to independent statehood. He is thus widely regarded in his homeland as the father of Czech music...
became her artistic manager, and she became highly involved with his group of artists that would later be established at the Prague National Theatre
National Theatre (Prague)
The National Theatre in Prague is known as the Alma Mater of Czech opera, and as the national monument of Czech history and art.The National Theatre belongs to the most important Czech cultural institutions, with a rich artistic tradition which was created and maintained by the most distinguished...
. She notably sang at the opening of the theatre on 11 June 1881 as Radmilla in the world premiere of Smetana's Libuše
Libuše (opera)
Libuše is a '"festival opera" in three acts, with music by Bedřich Smetana. The libretto was originally written in German by Josef Wenzig, and was then translated into Czech by Ervin Špindler. In Czech historical myth, Libuše, the title character, prophesied the founding of Prague. The opera...
; a performance given in honor of the visit of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria
Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria
Rudolf , archduke of Austria and crown prince of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia, was the son and heir of Franz Joseph I, emperor of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia, and his wife and empress, Elisabeth...
. Sadly a fire broke in the new theatre on the following 12 August 1881 which destroyed the copper dome, the auditorium and stage of the theatre. The theatre was repaired and reopened on 18 November 1883 with a reprisal of Libuše with the same cast.
Fibichová sang in two more premieres of operas by Smetana at the New Czech Theatre during her career. On 18 September 1878 she portrayed Panna Roza in the world premiere of The Secret
The Secret (opera)
The Secret is a comic opera in three acts by Bedřich Smetana. The libretto was written by Eliška Krásnohorská. The premiere took place September 18, 1878 at the Nové České Divadlo in Prague.-Background:...
at the Nové České Divadlo (New Czech Theatre). She then appeared as Záviš in the first production of The Devil's Wall
The Devil's Wall
The Devil's Wall is a comic-romantic opera in three acts, with music by Bedřich Smetana and libretto by Eliška Krásnohorská, in their third operatic collaboration...
on 29 October 1882. Fibichová also sang in a number of world premieres of works by Antonín Dvořák. On 17 April 1876 she sang the role of Homena in the premiere of Vanda
Vanda (opera)
Vanda is a grand opera in five acts by Antonín Dvořák. The Czech libretto was written by Václav Beneš-Šumavský and František Zákrejs after a work by Julian Surzycki.-Performance history:...
. She sang the role of Veruna in the first performance of The Cunning Peasant
The Cunning Peasant
The Cunning Peasant is an opera by Antonín Dvořák. The Czech-language libretto is by Josef Otakar Veselý.-Composition and reception:...
in Prague in 1878. On 2 October 1881 she starred as Říhová in the first production of The Stubborn Lovers
The Stubborn Lovers
The Stubborn Lovers , Op. 17, is a one-act comic opera in 16 scenes by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák. It was written in 1874 to the libretto of the Czech lawyer and writer Dr. Josef Štolba...
. In 1887 she portrayed Anna in the first performance of the revised version of King and Charcoal Burner
King and Charcoal Burner
King and Charcoal Burner , Op. 14, is a three-act comic opera by the Czech composer Antonín Dvořák.The first version of the opera was written in 1871 to a libretto by Bernard J. Lobeský. That same year the composer offered the finished opera to the Czech Provisional Theatre in Prague...
, a role she had previously sung in the work's premiere on 24 November 1874.
In 1875 Fibichová married Zdeněk Fibich who, while less known than Dvořák or Smetana, was one the greatest Czech composers of the day. She sang in the premieres of a number of operas by her husband, most notably Isabella in The Bride of Messina
The Bride of Messina (opera)
The Bride of Messina is a tragic opera in three acts, op. 18, by composer Zdeněk Fibich. The Czech language libretto by Otakar Hostinský is based on Friedrich Schiller's play Die Braut von Messina...
in Prague on 28 March 1884. Other roles she originated for her husband were Eliška in Bukovín and Perchta in Blaník. The couple separated in 1895, after which point Fibich lived with his lover and frequent artistic collaborator, librettist Anežka Schulzová.
Fibichová also sang works from the French, Italian, German, and Russian opera repertories during her career. She was also an active concert soloist. She retired from the stage in 1900, the same year that her husband died. She died in Prague in May the following year at the age of 55.