Opernhaus Bratislava/Pressburg - The Life of Galilei

Bertolt Brecht’s Life of Galileo is one of the most important works of world drama, exploring the birth of modern science and its clash with power structures. In the Drama Theatre of the Slovak National Theatre, this play has a staging history that testifies to the enduring relevance and universality of the work. The first production on the stage of the Slovak National Theatre, directed by Tibor Rakovský in 1958, became one of the key moments in the context of the post-war Slovak theatre. It brought an emphasis on humanism and scientific progress. The play reflects the changing social and political context, but Brecht’s critique of power and the subject of the responsibility of individuality are also perceptible in the play. The new production by Martin Čičvák continues this tradition, bringing a contemporary perspective on the complex issues of truth, courage and compromise. The director puts Galileo at the centre of a dramatic dialogue that resonates with the present day, when scientific truth is often the subject of questioning and ideological battles. The production thus creates a bridge between the past and the present, reflecting the constant tension between science and power, individuality and the outside world. The production also recalls the importance of Brecht’s play as a vehicle for critical thinking and social engagement. A space in which historical facts intertwine with universal themes of freedom and truth. The audience is thus invited to participate in a profound experience transcending traditional historical drama’s boundaries. A fresh look at the Life of Galileo confirms that this play is still a timely appeal to courage and responsibility for knowledge and awareness. Čičvák thus continues staging classic iconic titles that appeal to a wide range of audiences.

The production is suitable for audiences aged 15 and over.

Running time: 3 hrs with one interval

program

Leben des Galilei

Autor: Bertolt BrechtHanns Eisler

Ein tiefgreifendes Erlebnis, das über die Grenzen des traditionellen historischen Dramas hinausgeht.

 

 

Place

The Slovak National Theatre is the second oldest Slovak professional theatre. It has 3 ensembles (drama, opera and ballet). It was founded in 1920 after the creation of Czechoslovakia as a cooperative and became a state-run company in 1945. Between 1920 and 1945, there was also a musical ensemble. The Slovak National Theatre has represented Slovak culture on its numerous tours abroad.

It was created and, in the 1920s, also run by Czech artists (e.g. Oskar Nedbal, director during 1923-1930). The first performance was the Czech opera Hubička by Bedřich Smetana on March 1, 1920. The ensembles were Slovakized only gradually. In 1932, the drama ensemble split into the SNT Slovak Drama Company led by Janko Borodáč, and into the SNT Czech Drama Company, led by V. Šulc. The Czech Drama Company ceased to operate when it was forced to leave Slovakia in 1938. Since then, the drama ensemble has performed in Slovak only, but in the opera ensemble there were Czech artists even after 1945. In recent years, operas have been presented in their original languages.

Initially, all 3 ensembles were active at the old Slovak National Theatre building. From 1955 to early 2007, the drama company performed at the P. O. Hviezdoslav Theatre and from 1962 to (?)2006 also at a chamber theatre called Malá scéna SND (SNT Small Stage). Since 2007, the ensembles perform only at the old Slovak National Theatre building and the new Slovak National Theatre building opened in April, 2007.

The drama company was shaped by the directors Janko Borodáč, F. Hoffman, J. Jamnický, J.Budský, T. Rakovský, K. I. Zachary, P. Haspra, M. Pietor and the current one – Dušan Jamrich.

The opera ensemble was led by conductors such as Oskar Nedbal, K. Nedbal, J. Vincourek and T. Frešo, and directors including V. Šulc and M. Wasserbauer. The opera became known abroad under the leadership of Czech conductor Oskar Nedbal, who also introduced the first Slovak operas of Jozef Levoslav Bella and V. Figuš Bystrý, and under K. Nedbal, who improved the dramma programme. A great boom occurred after WWII. The SNT witnessed the rise of modern Slovak opera by Eugen Suchoň, Ján Cikker, Alexander Moyzes, Tibor Andrašovan, T. Frešo, and many others. Many singers from the SNT are famous abroad, e.g. Edita Grúberová, Lucia Popp, Peter Dvorský, R. Petrák, S. Kopčák, M. Hajóssyová, E. Jenisová, J. Galla, Jozef Kundlák, and many others.

The ballet ensemble has grown from a small group in 1920 to a huge ensemble today.