General information
Title CZHry o Marii
Title ENThe Plays of Mary
Title DEDie Marienspiele
Title FRLes Jeux De Marie
CategoryStage Works and Film Music
SubcategoryOperas
Halbreich number236
Parts of the composition (movements)1) The Wise and Foolish Virgins. Prologue. Drama in 1 act. 2) Mariken of Nimègue. Pageant in 1 act. 3) The Nativity. Pastorale in 1 act. 4) Sister Pascaline. Legend in 1 act
Durata131' (20'+43'+21'+47')
Instruments1)2020-4120-Timp-Batt-Pf-Archi(Vle,Vc);2)2222-4231-Timp-Batt-Pf-Archi;3)2202-4110-Timp-Trgl-Archi;4)2222-4231-Timp-Batt-Pf-Archi
List of characters1) Archangel Gabriel (A), wise virgins (5 dancers), foolish virgins (4 dancers, mS), merchandisers with oils (Bar, B), Bridegroom (T, mS, A, B), mixed chorus.

2) Mariken (S, dancing role), Devil (Bar, dancing role), ringmaster (Sp), God (B), Mother of God (A), Maškaron (T), drunkard (B), girl (S), male and female chorus, dancers.

3) Maria (S), smith (bBar), smith's daughter (mS), publican (Bar), female, male and children's chorus.

4) Sister Pascaline (S/mS), Sister Marta (S/mS), God's Mother (mute role), solo vocal quartet, mixed chorus, dancers. Instruments behind the scene: Arm, Timp, string quintet
Origin
Place of compositionParis
Year of origin1934
Initiation of composition05/1933
Completion of composition26.06.1934
First performance
Performer Balatka, Antonín
Hloušková, Marie
Muzika, František
Střelcová, Věra
Walter, Rudolf
Žlábková, Božena
Date of the first performance23.02.1935
Location of the first performanceBrno, National Theatre (Národní divadlo)
Note on the first performanceAntonín Balatka (cond.), Rudolf Walter (direction), František Muzika (stage design), Marie Hloušková (Gabriel), Božena Žlábková (Mariken), Věra Střelcová (Sestra Paskalina)
Ensemble Národní divadlo Brno
Autograph deposition
InstitutionNational Theatre, Prague
DepositionPrague
OwnerNárodní divadlo v Praze
Note on the autograph depostitionSee also H 236/2 I.
Autograph deposition 2
InstitutionBohuslav Martinů Centre in Polička
DepositionCzech Republic
OwnerCentrum Bohuslava Martinů v Poličce
Note on the autograph depostitionAutograph score of 3) The Nativity. Autograph piano reduction of the whole cycle also held by the Bohuslav Martinů Centre in Polička.
Copyright
CopyrightDilia, Prague
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Sources
References Related writings
Documents in the Library
Note 1) Completed on 22.04.1934. Czech lyrics by Vítězslav Nezval after the French original from the 12th century. ***
2) Two versions of Mariken: 1st version (H 236/2 I) was composed between May 1933 – 28.07.1933. 2nd version (H 236/2 II), which is included in the cycle The Miracles of Mary, was completed on 21.03.1934. French lyrics by Henri Ghéon (see French libretto of H 236/2 I) after a Flemish legend from the 15th century, Czech translation: Vilém Závada (H 236/2 II). ***
3) Completed on 01.04.1934 (according to Charlotte Martinů's diary on 05.05.1934; last page of the autograph held by National Theatre in Prague: "Velikonoce [Easter] 1934"). Lyrics: Moravian folk poetry. ***
4) Completed on 26.06.1934. Lyrics by Bohuslav Martinů after Julius Zeyer and folk poetry. *** German transaltion of the libretto: Kurt Honolka. *** Date of the world premiere in Brno according to Charlotte Martinů's diary: 28.02.1935.
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