Dvořák wrote The Devil and Kate just before Rusalka at the height of his powers as an orchestral composer and at a period of keen interest in fairytale and mythological themes. There is much purely instrumental music partly justified by the story with its emphasis on dancing in the Act I pub scene and in hell. There are also surprisingly long scene-preludes, including a striking descent to a Nibelheim-like hell at the beginning of Act II. It is one of the few Czech operas to lack love interest altogether: Káca declares at the end of Act III that, now she has been richly rewarded for scaring off the Devil, she will be able to afford any bridegroom she likes.
The Devil and Kate is one of Dvořák’s most popular operas in his home lands and is based on a fairy tale by Božena Němcová (1820-1862). Most Czech devils are comically incompetent; Marbuel is especially so, and is outwitted by one of the most assertive of all the strong women depicted in Czech opera. This joyous story full of movement and humour is staged by young director Zuzana Fischer, beautifully blending traditional fairytale and contemporary worlds, in OperaVision’s first stream from Slovakia – in the National Theatre’s new venue in Bratislava. Streamed by Slippedisc courtesy of OperaVision. Káca is sung by Katarína Hano Flórová and the Devil Marbuel is sung by Michal Onufer.
The Plot: nobody wants to dance with the quirky and a little cheeky Káca (Kate) at a party. Angry, she declares that she would dance with the Devil. So when he arrives as the dashing Marbuelo, she is swept off her feet down to hell. With the help of the clever Shepherd Jirka, will Káca make it back to earth? Might the Devil actually be relieved to see the back of his garrulous and feisty visitor?
Sung in Czech. Subtitles in Czech and English.
Streamed Friday 14 th March 2025 at 1900 CET /1800 London / 1300 NY
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