Antonín Dvořák: Stabat Mater IX (Talich cond.)

Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Stabat Mater, Cantata for Soloists, Choir and Orchestra
op. 58 (B 71, 1876-77)

Drahomíra Tikalová, soprano
Marta Krásová, contralto
Beno Blachut, tenor
Karel Kalaš, bass
Prague Philharmonic Choir
Jan Kühn, choirmaster
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Václav Talich, conductor

IX. Alto solo. Andante maestoso (Inflammatus et accensus)

18
Inflammatus et accensus
Per te, Virgo, sum defensus
In die iudicii.
19
Fac me cruce custodiri,
Morte Christi præmuniri,
Confoveri gratia.
18
Burning and set on fire
By you, virgin, may I be defended
In the day of judgement
19
Let me by the cross be guarded
by Christ's death armed
cherished by his grace

Marta Krásová (1901-1970)

A soloist at Pragues National Theatre from 1928 to 1966 who studied violin and piano and planned a career as a choolteacher. Her interest in singing, cultivated by study under Olga Valoušková and Růžena Maturová brought her to the stage in České Budějovice and later to Bratislava alongside guest artists Slezak, Schmedes and Chaliapin. Richard Strauss recommended engaging her as Octaviana in Vienna, but she herself gave preference to Otakar Ostrčils offer to go to Prague. Her brilliant technique enabled her to sing not only coloratura soprano (Marguerite), but also contralto (the Countess in The Queen of Spades). Success in a vocal competition in Salzburg (1937) and a subsequent tour of the USA and Canada earned her an invitation to the Met (1939). The war, however, closed the path to the worlds stages for her. Her outstanding creations of Eboi, Ordtrud, Konchakovna, Ježibaba (Rusalka) and Clytemnestra remained confined to Prague. Her marriage to composer Karel Boleslav Jirák steered her interests in the direction of contemporary music as well as towards the concert and oratorio repertoire. Her intelligent acting and sense of style and order made each of her roles an event, Carmen as well as Isabella (The Bride of Messina), Orpheus as well as Kostelnička or Kabanicha. She made complete recordings of The Kiss, Rusalka, Šárka, Jenůfa and Svätopluk.

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