Wexford Festival Opera Chorus

Performed on the 19th, 22nd, 25th, 28th and 31st of October and the 3rd of Novemeber 2001

Sung in Czech

Valentin Pivovarov Count Vilém of Harasov
Markus Werba Bohuš
Alessandro Grato Adolf
Tatiana Monogarova Julie
Michal Lehotsky Jirí
Alasdair Elliot Benda
Mariana Panova Terinka
Rebecca Sharp Lotinka
Alexander Voloschuk conductor
Lubomir Mátl chorus master

Wexford Festival Opera Chorus
The Young Wexford Singers
National Philharmonic Orchestra of Belarus   

Booklet Notes: 

ACT I

Estranged from his son Bohus, Count Vilem has fixed his affections on his nephew, Adolf, instead. Bohus, absent and living in Paris, is deemed a ‘Jacobin' by his father. After many years absence and concealing their identity, Bohus brings his wife Julie back to the family chateau. The Count now shuns the family home, saddened by the death of his wife and angered by the departure of his son. They arrive in the village and watch the schoolmaster Benda with his daughter Terinka coming out of the church. With them is Terinka's suitor, the elderly and authoritarian Burgrave, and Jiri, the young forester who is really Terinka's preferred sweetheart. In conversation Bohus and Julie learn all about the Count's supposedly ‘reckless son'. Declaring their own support for freedom they are regarded with suspicion by the Burgrave. To everyone's surprise the Count is announced. He appears accompanied by Adolf. Bohus and Julie remain in the background and listen as the Count announces Adolf as his heir.

ACT II

In the schoolhouse, Benda rehearses the chorus, children, Terinka and Jiri for a festival cantata. The rehearsal done, Benda leaves for the chateau shooing Jiri out as he goes. Jiri sneaks back and he and Terinka sing of their love for each other. On Benda's return, Bohus and Julie appear seeking shelter and Benda agrees to conceal them. The Burgrave arrives to woo Terinka and threatens Jiri, his rival, with enlistment in the army. Adolf appears and promises the Burgrave that he will promote him to the rank of court official provided he captures the Jacobins rumoured to be in the village. Bohus comes out of hiding, intending to frustrate Adolf's plan, only to find himself marched off to jail by the Burgrave's troops. Bohus demands to be taken before the Court while Jiri too is escorted to jail.

ACT III

The schoolmaster and Julie steal into the chateau. The Count resists Benda's pleas on behalf of his son and Julie is the only hope left. She sings a song that the late Countess used to sing to her son and, moved by the sound of the lullaby, the Count listens to her. She defends Bohus, pointing out that the rift between the Count and his son is the result of Adolf's plotting. The Count frees the prisoners, makes peace with Bohus and Julie and bestows his blessing on Terinka and Jiri as well.