Comedy on the Bridge

Comedy on the Bridge (Veselohra na mostě in Czech) is an opera in one act by Bohuslav Martinů to a Czech libretto by the composer, based on the comedy by Václav Kliment Klicpera. The first performance occurred over Czech Radio, Prague on 18 March 1937. The first staged performance was at Hunter College, New York City on 28 May 1951, which the composer attended and which received an award for "best new opera" from the New York Music Critics Circle... more

Comedy on the Bridge (Veselohra na mostě in Czech) is an opera in one act by Bohuslav Martinů to a Czech libretto by the composer, based on the comedy by Václav Kliment Klicpera. The first performance occurred over Czech Radio, Prague on 18 March 1937. The first staged performance was at Hunter College, New York City on 28 May 1951, which the composer attended and which received an award for "best new opera" from the New York Music Critics Circle. Martinů arranged three numbers from the opera into a "Little Suite" for chamber orchestra, including piano. The setting is on a bridge over a river, during the first half of the 19th century. The river separates two opposing armies during an unspecified conflict. Josephine Popelka has earlier been to the battlefield and buried her brother. On her return, the enemy sentry lets her pass, but holds her papers from his commanding officer. Without the proper papers, the sentry on her own side denies her request to pass, and Josephine must remain... less