The Cunning Peasant () is an opera by AntonÃÂn Dvoà Âák. The Czech libretto is by Josef Otakar Veselý.
The Cunning Peasant was written at a time when there was a lack of high-quality Czech dramatic writers. In his 1995 notes to the Supraphon recording, Milan PospÃÂà ¡il indicates that Veselý did not solve that problem. His libretto demonstrates talent but also uncritical self-confidence and recycles traditional plot elements and even the names of characters. Both JenÃÂk and Václav, for example, are based on models with similar names in The Bartered Bride. The influence of the latter opera is further evidenced by the choice of a rustic setting. Similarities with the plot of The Marriage of Figaro have also been noted.
Dvoà Âák set the libretto without requiring any revisions but he did propose the change of name from the original PolÃÂÃÂek knÃÂà ¾eti (A slap for the Prince). The Cunning is ironic as the protagonist is himself cheated. The composer wrote the music in 1877. His other works of the period include the Stabat Mater, Piano Concerto and Slavonic Dances.
To provide a national character, Dvoà Âák used a variety of dance and other forms in the opera, such as polka, waltz, sousedská, mazur and march, though the music remains typical of the composer. With short numbers, The Cunning Peasant is really an ensemble opera. The music is lyrical with the worlds of the Prince and the folk characters, of the lovers and plotters individually characterised with music that recurs. However, some of these portrayals also anticipate those of similar characters in later operas such as The Jacobin. Contemporary critics saw the musical style as too symphonic. Eduard Hanslick, for example, considered the Act 2 ballet music as better suited for a symphonic scherzo.
The opera received its first performance in Prague in 1878 and was also given in Plzeà  that same year. When it was performed in Dresden in 1882, it became only the third Czech opera to be given in Germany. It thus represents Dvoà Âák's first real success as an opera composer. It was performed in Hamburg in 1883, but a poor reception in Vienna in 1885 halted the wider progress of this and other of the composer's operas for some time. In the Czech lands, The Cunning Peasant remained popular, though attention was drawn away from it by the première of The Jacobin in 1887. Nevertheless, performances of the opera continued into the 20th century but they have tailed off since 1950. The first British performances were given by John Lewis opera as The Peasant a Rogue in 1963.
The grounds of a palace
The girls of the village are celebrating May and the love it brings (ZavÃÂtal do kraje, zavÃÂtal máj), but BÃÂtuà ¡ka is sad. The chorus try to cheer her up with the hope of the Prince's arrival allowing her love to be fulfilled. JenÃÂk arrives and asks BÃÂtuà ¡ka why she is sad. It is because her father wishes her to marry a richer man. The two embrace and sing of their hope that God will help their love (ÃÂsta moje, miláÃÂku). Martin, Veruna and Václav arrive as JenÃÂk leaves. Martin tells BÃÂtuà ¡ka off for spending time with a tramp like JenÃÂk when he has in mind a wealthier husband for her. BÃÂtuà ¡ka reaffirms her love for JenÃÂk and Veruna supports her, but her father will have none of that. Václav tells her of all the gifts he can give her if she agrees to marry him instead. BÃÂtuà ¡ka refuses. Martin expresses his anger with her (Dobrá, jdi tedy k nÃÂmu). The girls return to take BÃÂtuà ¡ka along with them to collect a bouquet for her to present to the Prince. Thinking they're alone, Václav and Martin discuss what to do. The former expresses frustration feeling that the whole village is mocking him. Martin reassures him that they are both clever Bohemian peasants, (Jsme ÃÂestàsedláci, they sing together). They will replace the ladder JenÃÂk usually uses with a plank over a barrel of water. They will beat him after he falls in. However Veruna has been listening and she intends to warn the lovers of the trap.
The whole village turn out to greet the Prince and Princess. When BÃÂtuà ¡ka gives the Prince the bouquet, both he and Jean are struck by her beauty. Jean tries to pinch her and the jealous Berta complains. Martin and Václav approach the Prince to ask for his agreement to Václav marrying BÃÂtuà ¡ka. He replies that he will speak to BÃÂtuà ¡ka first and find out her wishes. When he does so, he says he will grant JenÃÂk a farm and let BÃÂtuà ¡ka marry her instead, provided she visits the Prince alone at the summerhouse during the evening. Veruna has been listening again and comments to BÃÂtuà ¡ka about the Prince's lecherous intentions. Meanwhile, they see Jean approaching, strutting like a peacock. He asks BÃÂtuà ¡ka to leave a ladder outside her window for him. Veruna informs him that there will be a barrel he can climb onto instead. Berta arrives and tells Jean off. Veruna explains to the other two women about how the barrel is a trap. She also visits the Princess who will visit her husband in the summerhouse in the evening instead of BÃÂtuà ¡ka and give him a slap
Spring festivities are taking place complete with dancing, beer and a Maypole which a villager climbs to win a prize. As the Prince draws the celebrations to a close, various characters sing of their hopes to end up in BÃÂtuà ¡ka's arms, to humiliate other characters or, in BÃÂtuà ¡ka's own case, to end up in JenÃÂk's arms (KÃ©à ¾ mi jià ¾ zavitá blaà ¾ená chvÃÂle). JenÃÂk and BÃÂtuà ¡ka wish each other goodnight (RozluÃÂme se, drahý (drahá), rozluÃÂme se). She tells him of the Prince's intentions and they think of eloping. Martin sees the barrel into position while Václav feels guilt at what they are planning. Veruna directs the Princess and Berta, both disguised as BÃÂtuà ¡ka to their respective positions. Thinking he is seducing BÃÂtuà ¡ka, the Prince complains about how he is bored by his wife. The Princess takes the bond for the promised farm from him before slapping him. Meanwhile Jean tries to climb to BÃÂtuà ¡ka's window, where Berta is, and falls into the barrel. Martin and Václav rush out to beat him up, egged on by Berta. She and the Princess demand and receive repentance from the Prince and Jean. Everyone blames Martin for having such a beautiful daughter. The Prince instructs him to marry her to JenÃÂk. Martin apologises to Václav who is sure that his wealth will help him find a wife elsewhere. The Prince gives JenÃÂk the deeds to the farm and Martin promises a generous dowry. Everyone praises the Prince and Princess.
Notes