Beno Blachut - Dalibor Smetana 1947

Beno Blachut Dalibor Smetana
Ah, whose is the spell? Act III Dalibor (sung in Czech)
Prague Opera Orchestra
Jozka Charvat
1947
An artist of near iconic reputation in his native Czechoslovakia, Beno Blachut became well known to record collectors elsewhere through his many recorded performances of Czech music. Operas of Janácek, Dvorák, and Smetana were introduced to many through the interpretations of the post-WWII school of Czech singers led by Blachut. His recordings have remained in the catalog for decades and endure as examples of Czech style and truthfulness. His musicianship was always self-evident. Born to an impoverished mining family, Blachut entered an iron working plant at age 14, seemingly destined to a life of difficult labor. However, through his participation in a church choir, and later, the chorus of the local opera company, Blachut was able to gain admittance to the Prague Conservatory. There, he studied with Luis Kadeøábek from 1935 to 1939. In 1939, Blachut made his debut with the Olomouc Opera as Jeník in Smetana's The Bartered Bride. At Olomouc, he prepared 18 parts, mostly lyric roles, under the supervision of theater director Karel Nedbal. When he was engaged by the Prague National Theatre in 1941, Blachut began receiving more heroic assignments. By the time he sang in Smetana's Dalibor in 1945, he was recognized as Czechoslovakia's leading tenor, and his repertory had grown to encompass nearly all of the principal tenor roles in the Czech repertory. With the Prague company, Blachut was heard on tour in Brussels, Berlin, Moscow, and at the Edinburgh Festival. Occasional guest appearances were made in Amsterdam, Vienna, and Helsinki. In addition to his operatic roles, Blachut frequently appeared in concert performing such works as Dvorák's Stabat Mater and Janácek's Glagolitic Mass (both of which he recorded). He also made a specialty of Janácek's The Diary of One Who Disappeared; his famous recording served as an introduction to this work for countless collectors. Despite the arrival of other honorable recordings, Blachut's remains the most accomplished. Blachut's studio legacy is extensive. In addition to the works already cited, the tenor is featured on definitive Supraphon recordings of Dalibor (the Czech national opera), Jenùfa, House of the Dead, and Jakobin. ~ Erik Eriksson, All Music Guide

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Music

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• beno
• blachut
• dalibor
• smetana
• prague
• opera
• orchestra
• jozka
• charvat
• czech
• singer

[Kievest]

Very exciting and dramatic singing!

His voice has a bright timber and

heroic quality. Although previously

unknown to me, this fine example

of Blachut's vocal legacy would

entice me to hear more! Thank

you for this unique contribution!

[reribus]

The last great czech tenor!!!!!! The best his performance of Dalibor was in National Theater in Prag after occupation of Soviet armee in 1968.........

[TheBosSauveli]

Tato nahrávka z roku 1947 se mi líbí nejvíc.

[Turiyayuro]

@seancoxen I've been sniffing around for that "Jakobin" DVD...any ideas on where I could find it? Thanks!

[walshamite]

@jkircher314 The Ancerl recording of the Janacek Glagolitic Mass (Missa Glagolska) features his great voice with a bevy of other fine Czech luminaries! On Supraphon and now in tidied-up digital from the 1963 recording. Try Amazon.

[seancoxen]

One is of "Dalibor", with an actor lipsyching to Blachut's singing. It is here on youtube. Look for "Dalibor Pisek" posted by Turiyayuro. The other dvd is "Jakobin" from 1978. Blachut sings and acts the character part of Benda. His voice is well past its prime, but it's still terrific to see him in action.

[jkircher314]

What DVDs do you have with Blachut? He is a brilliant tenor.

[seancoxen]

Marvelous! Blachut was a phenomenon, a born artist. I have many of his records, also a couple dvd's.