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JakobínJakobín
Opera

The Jacobin

Antonín Dvořák

A playful, humorous and tender production for children and adults alike. Let’s return to our schooldays for a while!

The National Theatre
For the whole family
English surtitles

Basic information

Venue

The National Theatre

Approximate running time

3 hours, 2 intermission (20 minutes) minutes

Language

In Czech, surtitles in Czech, English

Premiere

October 8, 2011

Dvořák’s The Jacobin is one of the most popular and most frequently performed Czech operas. Set in the 18th century, the plot unfurls in a small Czech town, to which a “suspicious” native returns after having lived abroad for years. The stage director Jiří Heřman takes us to the school where the teacher Benda rehearses with the pupils a famous festive cantata, while other protagonists recall their loves, or are taught a lesson.

Cast

  • 2023-2024
  • 2024-2025

Creatives

Stage director
Jiří Heřman
Light design
Daniel Tesař
Choreography
Lucie Holánková
Chorus master
Pavel Vaněk
Chorus master of the Kühn's Children's Choir
Jiří Chvála
Dramaturgy
Beno Blachut

About

National Theatre Chorus
National Theatre Orchestra
National Theatre Opera Ballet 
Prague Philharmonic Children's Choir

At the end of the 18th century, Bohuš, a count’s son, who at one time was hounded out by his father owing to his liberalism, returns from Paris to his native small town in Bohemia. Yet before he is allowed to reconcile, he and his wife are caught up in a slew of provincial intrigues which the locals direct both at themselves and – because of his being suspected of “Jacobinism” – against the couple. The opera features a number of stock and popular dramatic types – the happily amorous Jiří and Terinka, between whom the arrogant burgrave Filip wants to drive a wedge; the count’s power-hungry nephew Adolf; as well as the good-natured teacher Benda. The scene at the school during which Benda is rehearsing with the children a festive cantata in honour of the new master is one of the most remarkable in Czech opera.

As in many other similarly tuned Czech dramatic works, here too all the accumulated conflicts are resolved amicably. Besides the traditional title of the opera, The Jacobin, the stage director Jiří Heřman foregrounds the libretto’s lesser-known original name, Mother’s Song, which actually far more appositely indicates that which Dvořák’s opera is all about – tenderness, noble-mindedness, loving care, and the ability of music to soften even the most hardened of hearts.

Photographer for production: Hana Smejkalová

Suitable for audience from 7 years.

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    Goods detail

    The Jacobin Programme

    A booklet for the production of The Jacobin

    70 Kč

    Only 4 items in stock

    Practical information

    Where to buy tickets

    The National Theatre sells tickets up to 6 months in advance. We are currently selling tickets for performances of Drama, Ballet, Opera and Laterna magika taking place in March-August 2024.


    When purchasing online, you can get an e-ticket. You can pick up printed tickets in person at the box offices of the National Theatre.

    Parking at the National Theater

    While visiting The National Theatre and the New Stage you can use again the underground car park of the National Theatre. Information and a parking fee.

     

    What to wear?

    By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.

    Buffets at the National Theater

    No waiting. For your benefit, please pre-order your food and beverages at the bar to minimize waiting in the queue!

    Menu (PDF, 60 kB)