The Cunning Peasant

The Cunning Peasant (Šelma sedlák in Czech) is an opera by Antonín Dvořák. The Czech-language libretto is by Josef Otakar Veselý. The Cunning Peasant was written at a time when there was a lack of high-quality Czech dramatic writers. In his 1995 notes to the Supraphon recording, Milan Pospíšil indicates that Veselý did not solve that problem. His libretto demonstrates talent but also uncritical self-confidence and recycles traditional plot elemen... more

The Cunning Peasant (Šelma sedlák in Czech) is an opera by Antonín Dvořák. The Czech-language libretto is by Josef Otakar Veselý. The Cunning Peasant was written at a time when there was a lack of high-quality Czech dramatic writers. In his 1995 notes to the Supraphon recording, Milan Pospíšil indicates that Veselý did not solve that problem. His libretto demonstrates talent but also uncritical self-confidence and recycles traditional plot elements and even the names of characters. Both Jeník and Václav, for example, are based on models with similar names in The Bartered Bride. The influence of the latter opera is further evidenced by the choice of a rustic setting. Dvořák set the libretto without requiring any revisions, working on the music in 1877. His other works of the period include the Stabat Mater, Piano Concerto and Slavonic Dances. The composer did propose the change of name form the original Políček knížeti (A slap for the Prince). The Cunning is ironic as the protagonist... less