Description

VÁCLAV KLIMENT (PRAGUE, AUGUST 12, 1862 – SMÍCHOV, MARCH 7, 1918)

 

 

 

 

From 1893 onward, he was a leading member of the Prague National Theatre, where he remained throughout his long career. While singing the classical repertoire of his vocal range, he also distinguished himself through interpretations of roles in works by contemporary Czech composers. For example, on March 1, 1895, he appeared at the National Theatre in the premiere of Zdeněk Fibich’s opera The Tempest (Bouře), and on January 1, 1899, in Josef Bohuslav Foerster’s Eva. He created the role of the Water Sprite in the world premiere of Antonín Dvořák’s fairytale opera Rusalka on March 31, 1901, at the same theatre.

His repertoire also included major Mozart and Wagnerian roles. He was considered an exceptionally gifted performer and became particularly renowned for his original interpretations of devil roles. His portrayal of the Devil in the premiere of Dvořák’s The Devil and Kate (Čert a Káča) on November 23, 1899, at the Prague National Theatre was regarded as unsurpassable.

Other important stage roles included Kecal in Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, Beneš in Dalibor, Chrudoš in Libuše, Rarach in The Devil’s Wall, Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro, Leporello in Don Giovanni, Pizarro in Fidelio, and Méphistophélès in Gounod’s Faust.

In addition to his operatic career, he was also active as a concert bass. In 1901, he sang a solo role in the Prague premiere of Dvořák’s oratorio Saint Ludmila, and on March 25, 1904, he appeared in the premiere of the composer’s opera Armida.

Recordings of his voice were made for G&T, Favorite, Columbia, Pathé, Zonophone, and Odeon, as well as on Edison cylinders.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

Dalibor (Smetana) Aria Beneše 52620 Pathé, Praha 1909/1910

Můj milej, rozmilej, nár. pis X-102606 Zonophone, Praha

Prodaná Nevěsta (Smetana) Arie Kecala X-102609 Zonophone, Praha

Prodana Nevesta (Smetana) Sextett (w. Feldenová, Bobková, Valousková & Burian) 51020 Odeon

Prodana Nevesta (Smetana) Sextett (w. Kubatova, Feldenova, Valouskova & Hlavecek) 39926 Pathé

Prodaná nevěsta (Smetana) Znám jednu dívku (w. Ptak) 39916 Pathé

Rusalka (Dvořák) Arie vodnika 52619 Pathé

V studni (Blodek) (w. Kubatova, Feldenova & Ptak) Kvartett 39927 Pathé

V studni (Blodek) (w. Ptak) 39920 Pathé

V studni (Blodek) Duetto (w. Stork) 48121 Odeon