Šarlatán
Encyclopedia
Šarlatán Op. 14, is a tragicomic
opera
in three acts (seven scenes) by Pavel Haas
to his own Czech
libretto
, after a 1929 German-language novel, Doktor Eisenbart, by Josef Winckler (1881–1966), which was based on the life of the travelling surgeon Johann Andreas Eisenbarth
.
. The composer removed from the libretto any association with the original German background and he changed the name of the main character (Eisenbart) to the Czech equivalent, Pustrpalk. A six-movement Suite
(Op. 14) based on themes from the opera, intended to publicise the premiere, was broadcast by the Brno Radio Orchestra
on 14 June, 1937. In the event, the premiere was twice postponed, but eventually took place at the Zemské Divadlo v Brně, now the Mahen Theatre
, Brno
, on 2 April, 1938. The conductor was Quido Arnoldi, the director was Rudolf Walter, the designer was František Muzika and the choreography was by Ivo Váňa-Psota.
The opera was not seen again on stage until Wexford Festival Opera
's October 1998 production, although concert performances were given in Prague
in June 1997; these were recorded by Decca
and issued on CD as part of their Entartete Musik series.
Doctor Pustrpalk's troupe are putting on a show to attract the villagers and telling stories about the doctor's miraculous cures. He arrives and offers advice and cures to all and sundry. Theriac
pills made of herbs and honey are handed out, and a deserter who wants to die is given "arsenic" but recovers when he takes the pills. Amaranta, complaining of pains caused by giving birth, is carried in on a stretcher. Pustrpalk gets her to sit in a basket of stinging nettle
s, and despite her screams it appears that she is cured. The two are attracted to each other and he invites her to join his troupe, telling her that he dislikes his shrewish wife Rozina. She leaves. As the villagers praise the doctor, the monk Jochimus appears and threatens to expose him. Amid the jeers of the crowd, Jochimus goes off to find Amaranta.
Scene 2: In the shadow of the mill
In the evening, the men of the village scavenge in the ruins. They wonder at Pustrpalk's endless travels, his achievements and his constant good humour.
Scene 3: At Pustrpalk's encampment
A few days later, Pustrpalk's troupe are making preparations to move to their next venue. Amaranta's unexpectedly large and flamboyant dress will clearly not allow her to enter the waggon. There is a commotion, during which Jochimus arrives to rescue Amaranta, but he is chased away by the villagers. Pustrpalk's wife, Rozina, catches him with Amaranta, and a furious argument between the two women develops, to the amusement of the villagers. Pustrpalk slashes Amaranta's dress to enable her to get into the waggon, and they, Rozina and the troupe depart. As they leave, Jochimus, crying "Revenge!", appears amid the laughing crowd.
A month later, Pustrpalk reflects on the devastation caused by war and the declining health of the old miller. With Rozina watching, Amaranta behaves coolly towards him. Zavináč and Provazolezec suspect that Pustrpalk will disappear with Amaranta and the troupe's money, and plan to rob him while he sleeps. Overhearing their plot, he confronts them, but then decides that he will share out the gold among the entire troupe. They all think that he has gone mad, but he does indeed dole out the money. Drink flows freely, and soon Zavináč and Provazolezec are arguing about which of them deserves the credit for the strange turn of events. The row awakens the old miller, who throws down a lantern which kills Zavináč. The men set light to the mill, destroying it and killing the miller, to Amaranta's horror. As the troupe rejoice drunkenly, they do not notice that Pustrpalk and Amaranta have departed.
Scene 2: A fairground
A year later, Šereda, another quack doctor with his own troupe, is extolling his magic oven, which the townspeople investigate. Pustrpalk and Amaranta, accompanied by Bakalář carrying Pustrpalk's potions, appear, and amicably agree to join forces with Šereda. The latter warns Pustrpalk that the King is in the area, looking for dissidents and beautiful women. Masked revellers in fancy dress arrive together with a tall peasant, the King in disguise. Feeling faint, the King calls for Pustrpalk's latest remedy. It proves so successful that he rejects Pustrpalk's invitation to join his troupe and instead hands out gold and medals. Pustrpalk in his hour of triumph looks around for Amaranta, but he is deflated when he discovers that she has been spirited away by Jochimus.
Several years later, Jochimus, gravely ill, visits Pustrpalk and apologises for his past behaviour. He asks Pustrpalk to treat him and is carried into the tent. Pustrpalk performs the operation and emerges, but soon afterwards it is clear that the monk is dead. Pustrpalk fears that he will be hanged, but, before he can flee, some soldiers and an apothecary, summoned by Jochimus's servant, surround the tent. A doctor and a number of villagers appear, some vilifying Pustrpalk and others praising him. They eventually unite to call for the charlatan to be strung up, but Pustrpalk has made his escape.
Scene 2: Beside the newly-rebuilt mill
Five years later, Pustrpalk's troupe discuss their master, who is drinking too much and no longer recognises them. He shambles in, asking for a drink. When three students arrive, Pustrpalk buys them drinks and they eventually work out that he is the famous doctor. This gives him a new lease of life, and the members of the troupe reminisce about some strange cases that he has treated. A drinking-song develops but suddenly Pustrpalk has a vision of Jochimus, with offstage voices chanting "Charlatan!". He strikes out, falls, asks God to forgive him and dies. All kneel and make the sign of the cross.
Tragicomedy
Tragicomedy is fictional work that blends aspects of the genres of tragedy and comedy. In English literature, from Shakespeare's time to the nineteenth century, tragicomedy referred to a serious play with either a happy ending or enough jokes throughout the play to lighten the mood.-Classical...
opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
in three acts (seven scenes) by Pavel Haas
Pavel Haas
Pavel Haas was a Czech composer who was murdered during the Holocaust. He was an exponent of Leoš Janáček's school of composition, and also utilized elements of folk music and jazz. Although his output was not large, he is notable particularly for his song cycles and string quartets.-Pre-war:Haas...
to his own Czech
Czech language
Czech is a West Slavic language with about 12 million native speakers; it is the majority language in the Czech Republic and spoken by Czechs worldwide. The language was known as Bohemian in English until the late 19th century...
libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
, after a 1929 German-language novel, Doktor Eisenbart, by Josef Winckler (1881–1966), which was based on the life of the travelling surgeon Johann Andreas Eisenbarth
Johann Andreas Eisenbarth
Johann Andreas Eisenbarth was a German surgeon who was a native of Oberviechtach, Bavaria. Eisenbarth was an oculist and barber-surgeon who specialized in treatment of cataracts, calculus surgery, and the treatment of bone fractures...
.
Performance history
The opera was composed between 1934 and 1937. Haas completed his work on the libretto on 1 July, 1934. Later, he was forced to conceal his inspiration, because a collaboration between a German writer and a Jewish composer was forbidden by Nuremberg LawsNuremberg Laws
The Nuremberg Laws of 1935 were antisemitic laws in Nazi Germany introduced at the annual Nuremberg Rally of the Nazi Party. After the takeover of power in 1933 by Hitler, Nazism became an official ideology incorporating scientific racism and antisemitism...
. The composer removed from the libretto any association with the original German background and he changed the name of the main character (Eisenbart) to the Czech equivalent, Pustrpalk. A six-movement Suite
Suite
In music, a suite is an ordered set of instrumental or orchestral pieces normally performed in a concert setting rather than as accompaniment; they may be extracts from an opera, ballet , or incidental music to a play or film , or they may be entirely original movements .In the...
(Op. 14) based on themes from the opera, intended to publicise the premiere, was broadcast by the Brno Radio Orchestra
Brno Philharmonic Orchestra
Brno Philharmonic Orchestra is an orchestra based in Brno, the Czech Republic. Its predecessor was the Czech Symphony Orchestra, dating from the 1870's. The current Brno Philharmonic was formed in 1956 with the merger of the Radio Orchestra and the Brno Region Symphony Orchestra, with Břetislav...
on 14 June, 1937. In the event, the premiere was twice postponed, but eventually took place at the Zemské Divadlo v Brně, now the Mahen Theatre
Mahen Theatre
Mahen Theatre is a Czech theatre situated in the city of Brno. Mahen Theatre, built as German Deutsches Stadttheater in 1882, was one of the first public buildings in the world lit entirely by electric light...
, Brno
Brno
Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
, on 2 April, 1938. The conductor was Quido Arnoldi, the director was Rudolf Walter, the designer was František Muzika and the choreography was by Ivo Váňa-Psota.
The opera was not seen again on stage until Wexford Festival Opera
Wexford Festival Opera
The Wexford Festival Opera is an opera festival that takes place in the town of Wexford in South-Eastern Ireland during the months of October and November.-Festival origins under Tom Walsh, 1951 to 1966:...
's October 1998 production, although concert performances were given in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
in June 1997; these were recorded by Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
and issued on CD as part of their Entartete Musik series.
Instrumentation
Piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets (B), bass clarinet (B), 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns (F), 3 trumpets (B), 5 trombones, tuba, harp, xylophone, timpani, cymbals, small and large drums, triangle, violins I and II, viola, cello and double bassRoles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, April 2, 1938 (Conductor: Quido Arnoldi) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Pustrpalk, a travelling quack Quackery Quackery is a derogatory term used to describe the promotion of unproven or fraudulent medical practices. Random House Dictionary describes a "quack" as a "fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill" or "a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or... doctor |
baritone Baritone Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or... |
Václav Bednář | |
| Rozina, his wife | soprano Soprano A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody... |
Božena Žlábková | |
| Members of Pustrpalk's troupe: |
Bakalář (Bachelor Bachelor A bachelor is a man above the age of majority who has never been married . Unlike his female counterpart, the spinster, a bachelor may have had children... ), dressed as Harlequin Harlequin Harlequin or Arlecchino in Italian, Arlequin in French, and Arlequín in Spanish is the most popularly known of the zanni or comic servant characters from the Italian Commedia dell'arte and its descendant, the Harlequinade.-Origins:... |
tenor Tenor The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2... |
Gustav Talman |
| Kyška (Sour milk Soured milk Soured milk is a food product, distinguished from spoiled milk, and is a general term for milk that has acquired a tart taste, either through the addition of an acid, such as lemon juice or vinegar, or through bacterial fermentation. The acid causes milk to coagulate and form a thicker consistency... ), a cook, dressed as Scapino Scapino Scapino, Scappino, or Scapin, is a zanni character from the commedia dell'arte. His name is related to the English word "escape" in reference to his tendency to flee from fights, even those he himself begins. He has been dated to the last years of the 16th century, and his creation is sometimes... |
tenor | Josef Kejř | |
| Pavučina (Cobweb Spider web A spider web, spiderweb, spider's web or cobweb is a device built by a spider out of proteinaceous spider silk extruded from its spinnerets.... ), dressed as Pantalone Pantalone Pantalone, or Pantalone del bisognosi, Italian for 'Pantalone of the needy', is one of the most important principal characters found in commedia del arte... |
bass Bass (voice type) A bass is a type of male singing voice and possesses the lowest vocal range of all voice types. According to The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, a bass is typically classified as having a range extending from around the second E below middle C to the E above middle C... |
Vladimír Jedenáctík | |
| Zavináč (Pickled herring), dressed as Pierrot Pierrot Pierrot is a stock character of pantomime and Commedia dell'Arte whose origins are in the late 17th-century Italian troupe of players performing in Paris and known as the Comédie-Italienne; the name is a hypocorism of Pierre , via the suffix -ot. His character in postmodern popular culture—in... |
tenor | Antonín Pelz | |
| Ohnižer, (Fire-eater), dressed as Pulcinella Pulcinella Pulcinella, ; often called Punch or Punchinello in English, Polichinelle in French, is a classical character that originated in the commedia dell'arte of the 17th century and became a stock character in Neapolitan puppetry.... |
tenor | Pavel Mrázek | |
| Provazolezec, (Tightrope walker Tightrope walking Tightrope walking is the art of walking along a thin wire or rope, usually at a great height. One or more artists performs in front of an audience or as a publicity stunt... ), dressed as Columbine Columbina Columbine is a fictional character in the Commedia dell'Arte. She is Harlequin's mistress, a comic servant playing the tricky slave type, and wife of Pierrot... |
bass | Leonid Pribytkov | |
| Krotitel hadů (Snake-charmer Snake charming Snake charming is the practice of pretending to hypnotise a snake by playing an instrument. A typical performance may also include handling the snakes or performing other seemingly dangerous acts, as well as other street performance staples, like juggling and sleight of hand... ), dressed as Brighella Brighella Brighella is a comic, masked character from the Commedia dell'arte. His early costume consisted of loosely-fitting, white smock and pants with green trim and was often equipped with a battachio or slapstick, or else with a wooden sword. Later he took to wearing a sort of livery with a matching cape... |
bass | Vlastimil Šíma | |
| Theriac Theriac Theriac or theriaca was a medical concoction originally formulated by the Greeks in the 1st century AD and became popular throughout the ancient world as far away as China and India via the trading links of the Silk Route... seller (Potion Potion A potion is a consumable medicine or poison.In mythology and literature, a potion is usually made by a magician, sorcerer, dragon, fairy or witch and has magical properties. It might be used to heal, bewitch or poison people... seller) |
bass | Jan Frank | |
| 2 Servants | baritone bass |
Josef Příhoda František Šíma |
|
| Amaranta, a beauty | soprano or mezzo-soprano Mezzo-soprano A mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above... |
Alexandra Čvanová Alexandra Čvanová Alexandra Čvanová was a Ukrainian operatic soprano, the creator of roles in operas by Leoš Janáček and Pavel Haas.... |
|
| Jochimus, a monk | baritone | Géza Fišer | |
| his servant | tenor | Karel Spurný | |
| Apothecary Apothecary Apothecary is a historical name for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses materia medica to physicians, surgeons and patients — a role now served by a pharmacist and some caregivers.... |
bass | Jan Frank | |
| Town physician | bass | Bedřich Zavadil | |
| Deserter Desertion In military terminology, desertion is the abandonment of a "duty" or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning... |
tenor | Karel Spurný | |
| Innkeeper | tenor | Karel Vacek | |
| Šereda (monster Monster A monster is any fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction, that is somewhat hideous and may produce physical harm or mental fear by either its appearance or its actions... ), a travelling healer |
tenor | Emil Olšovský | |
| his servant | Otto Strejček | ||
| The King | bass | Nikola Cvejić | |
| 3 Students | tenor baritone bass |
Antonín Pelz Jan Frank František Šíma |
|
| A man with a crutch Crutch Crutches are mobility aids used to counter a mobility impairment or an injury that limits walking ability.- Types :There are several different types of crutches:... |
tenor | Antonín Vacek | |
| Another man | Josef Kopelský | ||
| Carpentry apprentice | Josef Sokol | ||
| The voice of the mad miller | Rudolf Walter | ||
| Dance master | Josef Sokol | ||
| Horn player | Ladislav Huňka | ||
| Darmožrout | Pavel Korenkov | ||
| Soldier | Josef Tupý | ||
| Villagers, children, Pustrpalk's musicians, soldiers, porters | |||
Act 1
Scene 1: Outside the village near a war-damaged millDoctor Pustrpalk's troupe are putting on a show to attract the villagers and telling stories about the doctor's miraculous cures. He arrives and offers advice and cures to all and sundry. Theriac
Theriac
Theriac or theriaca was a medical concoction originally formulated by the Greeks in the 1st century AD and became popular throughout the ancient world as far away as China and India via the trading links of the Silk Route...
pills made of herbs and honey are handed out, and a deserter who wants to die is given "arsenic" but recovers when he takes the pills. Amaranta, complaining of pains caused by giving birth, is carried in on a stretcher. Pustrpalk gets her to sit in a basket of stinging nettle
Stinging nettle
Stinging nettle or common nettle, Urtica dioica, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is the best-known member of the nettle genus Urtica...
s, and despite her screams it appears that she is cured. The two are attracted to each other and he invites her to join his troupe, telling her that he dislikes his shrewish wife Rozina. She leaves. As the villagers praise the doctor, the monk Jochimus appears and threatens to expose him. Amid the jeers of the crowd, Jochimus goes off to find Amaranta.
Scene 2: In the shadow of the mill
In the evening, the men of the village scavenge in the ruins. They wonder at Pustrpalk's endless travels, his achievements and his constant good humour.
Scene 3: At Pustrpalk's encampment
A few days later, Pustrpalk's troupe are making preparations to move to their next venue. Amaranta's unexpectedly large and flamboyant dress will clearly not allow her to enter the waggon. There is a commotion, during which Jochimus arrives to rescue Amaranta, but he is chased away by the villagers. Pustrpalk's wife, Rozina, catches him with Amaranta, and a furious argument between the two women develops, to the amusement of the villagers. Pustrpalk slashes Amaranta's dress to enable her to get into the waggon, and they, Rozina and the troupe depart. As they leave, Jochimus, crying "Revenge!", appears amid the laughing crowd.
Act 2
Scene 1: Outside the ruined millA month later, Pustrpalk reflects on the devastation caused by war and the declining health of the old miller. With Rozina watching, Amaranta behaves coolly towards him. Zavináč and Provazolezec suspect that Pustrpalk will disappear with Amaranta and the troupe's money, and plan to rob him while he sleeps. Overhearing their plot, he confronts them, but then decides that he will share out the gold among the entire troupe. They all think that he has gone mad, but he does indeed dole out the money. Drink flows freely, and soon Zavináč and Provazolezec are arguing about which of them deserves the credit for the strange turn of events. The row awakens the old miller, who throws down a lantern which kills Zavináč. The men set light to the mill, destroying it and killing the miller, to Amaranta's horror. As the troupe rejoice drunkenly, they do not notice that Pustrpalk and Amaranta have departed.
Scene 2: A fairground
A year later, Šereda, another quack doctor with his own troupe, is extolling his magic oven, which the townspeople investigate. Pustrpalk and Amaranta, accompanied by Bakalář carrying Pustrpalk's potions, appear, and amicably agree to join forces with Šereda. The latter warns Pustrpalk that the King is in the area, looking for dissidents and beautiful women. Masked revellers in fancy dress arrive together with a tall peasant, the King in disguise. Feeling faint, the King calls for Pustrpalk's latest remedy. It proves so successful that he rejects Pustrpalk's invitation to join his troupe and instead hands out gold and medals. Pustrpalk in his hour of triumph looks around for Amaranta, but he is deflated when he discovers that she has been spirited away by Jochimus.
Act 3
Scene 1: Outside Pustrpalk's tentSeveral years later, Jochimus, gravely ill, visits Pustrpalk and apologises for his past behaviour. He asks Pustrpalk to treat him and is carried into the tent. Pustrpalk performs the operation and emerges, but soon afterwards it is clear that the monk is dead. Pustrpalk fears that he will be hanged, but, before he can flee, some soldiers and an apothecary, summoned by Jochimus's servant, surround the tent. A doctor and a number of villagers appear, some vilifying Pustrpalk and others praising him. They eventually unite to call for the charlatan to be strung up, but Pustrpalk has made his escape.
Scene 2: Beside the newly-rebuilt mill
Five years later, Pustrpalk's troupe discuss their master, who is drinking too much and no longer recognises them. He shambles in, asking for a drink. When three students arrive, Pustrpalk buys them drinks and they eventually work out that he is the famous doctor. This gives him a new lease of life, and the members of the troupe reminisce about some strange cases that he has treated. A drinking-song develops but suddenly Pustrpalk has a vision of Jochimus, with offstage voices chanting "Charlatan!". He strikes out, falls, asks God to forgive him and dies. All kneel and make the sign of the cross.
Recording
- Vladimír Chmelo (Doktor Pustrpalk), Anda-Louise BogzaAnda-Louise BogzaAnda-Louise Bogzais a celebrated Romanian opera soprano. In 1994 she won both the First Prize and the Audience Prize at the Vienna International Singing Competition...
(Rozina), Jiří Kubík (Jochimus), Jitka Svobodová (Amaranta), Ladislav Mlejnek (Pavučina), Leo Marian VodičkaLeo Marian VodičkaLeo Marian Vodička is a Czech operatic tenor who has had an active international career since the early 1970s. He has sung on a number of complete opera recordings and appears in several filmed opera performances....
(Kyška), Miroslav Švejda (Bakalář), Prague Philharmonic Choir, Prague State Opera Orchestra, conductor Israel Yinon; Decca RecordsDecca RecordsDecca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
460 042-2 (1997)