The first opera by Bohuslav Martinů Soldier and Dancer, H 162 which came into being between 1926 and 1927 ranks among remarkable opera opuses of the 20th century. like in all his other operas, Martinů tried for a new form reminiscent of a live musical theater. The libretto of the opera is based on the text of Plautus's comedy Pseudolus the Fox in the form of an operatic revue combining a story from Antiquity with modern features, including the principle of theater in theater and a play within a play. Its overall atmosphere is close, for example, to the playful poetics of plays of the Liberated Theater. The musical language of the opera employs both Neo-Classical and jazz elements, including subtle opera parody and the grotesque. The opera has been staged only in three productions. Its world premiere was on May 5, 1928 in Brno; its next production took place in 1966 (Olomouc) and 1990 (Ostrava).
Jiří Nekvasil, programme of the Bohuslav Martinů Festival's concert, December 15, 2000