A unique exhibition of Jarmila Novotna‘s costumes from the collection of Metropolitan opera in New York.
The exhibition will give the wide public insight into her roles Cherubin, Octavian, Bartered Bride, Violetta, Mimi and Manon among others that she performed on various world famous opera stages, including MET throughout 16 years of her engagement on this worlds most renowned opera stage. Exhibited costumes will be accompanied by the precious items borrowed from MET to the Czech Republic for the first time in the history.
The exhibition is prepared by the Association of Chateau Liten under the auspices of the Czech Ministry of Culture and the U.S. Embassy Prague.
The Czech soprano Jarmila Novotná was among the brightest stars on the world opera stage of the 20th century. Though the Prague audience was captivated with her young charm and a luscious voice, she made an important decision to continue her education. Her studies in Italy were possible only thanks to the support of T.G.Masaryk, who with his family became close friends of Jarmila Novotná. The Italian studies ended by a triumph in the role of Gilda (“Rigoletto”) in Verona’s Arena (20.000 viewers) and she entered the international scene.
She performed in many opera houses all over the world; Vienna, Berlin, Salzburg, Paris, Milan….. The Metropolitan Opera in New York became her home stage where for sixteen seasons she played the main parts of many interesting characters. Her Mařenka in “The Bartered Bride”, Violetta in Verdi’s “Traviata” or Gilda in “Rigoletto”, an excellent double role Olympia/Antonia in “Les Contes d’Hoffman”, Cherubino in “Le Nozze di Figaro” or Octavian in “Der Rosenkavalier” were some of her unforgettable roles. More on the website of Chateau Liten.
