Pr'hody lisky Bystrousky, The Cunning Little Vixen: Translations and Pronunciation

by Timothy Cheek

Overview

Responding to the ever-increasing popularity and international performances of operas by the Czech composer Leo? Janácek, this volume, the first in the Janácek Opera Libretti Series, is the full translation of The Cunning Little Vixen in English alongside the original Czech. This work meets the needs of English-speaking singers, conductors, coaches, and stage directors and conveniently provides idiomatic and word-for-word translations, including translations of stage and musical directions. In addition, the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is used to indicate Czech pronunciation, following the clearly-presented method given in the author's book Singing in Czech: A Guide to Czech Lyric Diction and Vocal Repertoire, with a foreword by Sir Charles Mackerras. Cheek also provides practical notes about Janácek's style, both in general terms and specific issues relating to this opera along with a plot summary with translations and vocal ranges of characters and the pronunciation of their names.

This entire volume is organized in a clear, readable format, resulting in a book that will help to make productions of The Cunning Little Vixen in the original Czech much easier a task than ever before.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810846715
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/19/2003
Series:	The Janácek Opera Libretti Series , #1
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

A leading expert on Czech vocal music, Timothy Cheek is pianist, vocal coach, and professor of performing arts at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater & Dance in Ann Arbor. He is the author of Singing in Czech: A Guide to Czech Lyric Diction and Vocal Repertoire (2001), The Janáček Opera Libretti, volumes I (2003), II (2004) and III (2016), The Bartered Bride, Prodaná nevěsta: Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation (2010), and Rusalka: A Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation (2012), published by Scarecrow Press and Rowman & Littlefield.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 Introduction Chapter 4 1 Act I, sc. i 29; sc. ii 37 Chapter 5 2 Act II, sc. i 65; sc. ii 74; sc. iii 89; sc. iv 102 Chapter 6 3 Act III, sc. i 137; sc. ii 164; sc. iii 172 Chapter 7 Appendix A: Pronunciation Checklist Chapter 8 Appendix B: Recordings Chapter 9 Notes Chapter 10 References Chapter 11 Index Chapter 12 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Timothy Cheek's writing was invaluable for our preparations of The Cunning Little Vixen at Opéra National du Rhin, Strasbourg. I look forward to future volumes!

Robert Carsen

Contrary to its title, this volume does not merely provide translations and pronunciation for this opera. Fastidiously detailed discussions of the musical and extramusical aspects of the work render this an invaluable performance guide.

Journal of Singing

An excellent beginning to a much needed series, it is extremely thorough and beautifully done. Anybody who reads this book will know virtually everything about how to perform Prihody lisky Bystrousky!

Sir Charles Mackerras

Here is a most welcome libretto that reveals many treasures for the professional and amateur alike. I love the dual translations, both word for word and idiomatic, right next to the IPA pronunciation guide to these Czech lyrics. This first in a series of Janácek Opera Libretti offers many invaluable nuggets of background information; musical, linguistic, stylistic, and cultural. Keep this volume by your opera score for immediate reference. I look forward to the KATYA and JENUFA Libretti, with eager anticipation. Bravo, Tim Cheek!

Catherine Malfitano

Timothy Cheek's book comes as a work of great diligence, every word of the original Czech libretto analysed and transliterated for the non-Czech speaker. From personal experience I know the great worth and value of "Prihody lisky Bystrousky," and this book will be an invaluable aid to anyone approaching the 'opera as intended', making it ever more accessible.

Sir Thomas Allen

Timothy Cheek's wonderful Singing in Czech was of great help in preparing Leos Janácek's delightful Príhody lisky Bystrousky (The Cunning Little Vixen) at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Too often a masterpiece such as this will lay unperformed—and therefore unappreciated by audiences—solely because of the challenges presented to English-speaking artists by a Czech score. I'm hopeful Tim's diligent work—presentation of the text, followed by IPA pronunciation guide and dual translations (literal and idiomatic)—can make these works more accessible to performers and audiences alike.

Sir Andrew Davis

An excellent beginning to a much needed series, it is extremely thorough and beautifully done. Anybody who reads this book will know virtually everything about how to perform Prihody lisky Bystrousky!--Sir Charles Mackerras, internationally renowned conductor

Timothy Cheek's book comes as a work of great diligence, every word of the original Czech libretto analysed and transliterated for the non-Czech speaker. From personal experience I know the great worth and value of "Prihody lisky Bystrousky," and this book will be an invaluable aid to anyone approaching the 'opera as intended', making it ever more accessible.--Sir Thomas Allen, Internationally acclaimed baritone, celebrated interpreter of the role of the Forester in both English and Czech productions

Timothy Cheek's writing was invaluable for our preparations of The Cunning Little Vixen at Opéra National du Rhin, Strasbourg. I look forward to future volumes!--Robert Carsen, internationally acclaimed opera stage director

From the Publisher

Contrary to its title, this volume does not merely provide translations and pronunciation for this opera. Fastidiously detailed discussions of the musical and extramusical aspects of the work render this an invaluable performance guide.

Journal Of Singing