THE DEVIL AND KATE | ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK | JAROSLAV KYZLINK, CONDUCTOR | ZUZANA FISCHER, DIRECTOR | SLOVAK NATIONAL THEATRE
Streamed live on Operavision on March 14 at 19:00 CET (GMT+1). Available until September 14, 2025.
OperaVision presents a live stream of Antonín Dvořák’s The Devil and Kate, performed by the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava and conducted by Jaroslav Kyzlink. This comic fairy-tale opera, based on a story by Božena Němcová, blends humor, folklore, and lively dance-infused music.
Dvořák composed The Devil and Kate just before Rusalka, at a time when he was deeply engaged with mythological themes. Unlike many operas, it lacks a central love story; instead, it follows the strong-willed Káča, who finds herself in the underworld after accepting a dance with the Devil. With the help of the clever shepherd Jirka, she turns the tables on her captor. Known for its rich orchestration and energetic dance sequences, the opera features some of Dvořák’s most vivid instrumental writing, including an evocative descent into the underworld in Act II.
This new production, directed by Zuzana Fischer and conducted by Jaroslav Kyzlink, marks OperaVision’s first stream from Slovakia, staged at the National Theatre’s new venue in Bratislava.
The cast includes Katarína Hano Flórová as Káča, Peter Račko as Jirka, and Michal Onufer as the Devil Marbuel, alongside the SND Opera Orchestra and Chorus. The production also features Jitka Sapara Fischerová as Káča’s mother and Peter Mikuláš as Lucifer.
OVERVIEW
At a party, no one wants to dance with Káča—she’s too bold, too mischievous. Frustrated, she declares she’d even dance with the Devil. When the dashing Marbuel arrives, she takes him up on the offer and is promptly whisked away to hell. But Káča is not one to be intimidated. With the help of the shepherd Jirka, she outsmarts the Devil, makes her escape, and returns home—not in search of romance, but with newfound confidence and wealth.
Dvořák’s opera stands out in Czech repertoire for its comedic take on folklore. Here, the Devil is more foolish than frightening, and Káča is one of the strongest female leads in Czech opera. With lively music, colorful characters, and a touch of magic, The Devil and Kate is a lighthearted yet musically rich work from one of the great opera composers of the 19th century.
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