This week’s Sunday Opera (4/12 3:00 p.m.) is turning to the work of a mostly forgotten Czech composer, Pavel Haas through his only opera, written in 1936, “Sarlatan,” “The Charlatan.”
Haas was one of the composers and performers to be used by the Nazis as part of their propaganda display at Terezin (Theresienstadt concentration camp) for the Red Cross. Immediately after the show for the Red Cross was over, all of the Terezin captives were sent to the extermination camps where Haas was killed on October 17, 1944 at the age of 45.He drew attention to himself, saving conductor Karel Ancerl whom he thought a great artist, especially compared to his own believed talents.
“Sarlatan” Is the story of a quack doctor named Pustrpalk (Vladimir Chmelo) and his traveling troupe who has some lucky successes with his various tonics that fade when he kills a rival during a treatment. Narrowly escaping a hanging, his life spirals out of control and he begins drinking heavily, which leads to his tragic end.
The cast includes Anda-Louise Bogza, Miroslav Svejda, Leo Marian Vodicka, Ladislav Miejnek, Jilka Svododova, and Jiri Kublik.Israel Yinon conducts the Prague State Opera Orchestra and the Prague Philharmonic Choir.
After the opera, host Michael Kownacky has more music of Haas scheduled, including Haas Wind Quintet, String Quartet No. 2, Piano Suite, and Radio Overture, a piece rescued from Terezin after the captives were sent to Auschwitz.
