Saint Ludmila (oratorio)

Background#

The work was commissioned by the publisher Littleton during Dvořák’s first visit to England. It was intended for the Leeds Festival, and Dvořák, well acquainted with the English festival tradition, In November 1954 the Czech Philharmonic with Karel Šejna performed the work at two concerts in the Smetana Hall of the Municipal House in Prague. In 1987 another concert took place, this time with the conductor Václav Neumann. The first performance in the 21st century was given in 2004, one hundred years after Dvořák’s death, with the Czech Philharmonic and conductor Jiří Bělohlávek. January 2026, Grammy-nominated artist Anastasia Vedyakova has been conducting the first performance of the oratorio «Saint Ludmila» in Russia (the oratorio hasn’t been performed in Russian Empire, the USSR and Russia previously).

Structure#

The verses of the libretto are based on historical fact. Prince Rastislav of Moravia asked the brothers Cyril and Methodius of Thessalonica to spread Christianity in his country. In 863 they came bringing the Glagolitic alphabet which laid the foundation of Slavonic literature. During this time, Great Moravia came under the influence of the Byzantine Empire. Later, this cultural and political influence spread also to Bohemia and in 874, Bořivoj I, Duke of Bohemia and his wife Saint Ludmila were baptised. The story is set at the beginning of this era. The hermit Ivan accepts the task of missionary, his eloquence winning over Ludmila, the Bohemian princess. She meets Prince Bořivoj and they are then married. Bořivoj is baptised under the influence of the new teaching and becomes Christian. The libretto consists of three parts. The situation in the first part is tense as Ivan comes into conflict with the pagans. Ludmila intervenes. In the second part Dvořák applied his talent for melody and ability to express feelings of love. The finale is festive and pompous with a statement of the ancient Czech chorale “Hospodine, pomiluj ny” (“Mighty Lord, have mercy upon us”) which dates from about the eleventh century. The composition has been appreciated for its melodiousness and colourful instrumentation.

Performance history#

Performance history of Dvořák’s Saint Ludmila. * Leeds, Great Britain: 15 October 1886, conducted by Dvořák himself * London, Great Britain: 29 October 1886, conducted by Dvořák himself * London, Great Britain: 6 November 1886, conducted by Dvořák himself * Prague, Austria-Hungary: 25 February 1887, conducted by Dvořák himself * Prague, Austria-Hungary: 27 February 1887, conducted by Dvořák himself * Prague, Austria-Hungary: 6 November 1887, conducted by Dvořák himself * Prague, Austria-Hungary: 11 November 1887, conducted by Dvořák himself * Prague, Austria-Hungary: 25 November 1887, conducted by Dvořák himself

Recordings#

• Dvořák: Svatá Ludmila – Lívia Ághová. WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Gerd Albrecht (2000)
• Dvořák: Svatá Ludmila – Eva Zikmundová, Beno Blachut. Prague Symphony Orchestra, Václav Smetáček (1963)

External links#

• Original Urbanek Libretto, Prague, 1887
• Info on a comprehensive Dvorak site
• Saint Ludmila - performance review (Guardian.co.uk)
• Saint Ludmila - CD review (Independent.co.uk)
• Saint Lumila at České sbory.cz
• Review at muzikus.cz