The Devil and Kate at The National Theatre

Antonín Dvo?ák’s two most successful operas, The Devil and Kate, and Rusalka, are based on fairy-tale motifs. Blending folk and humorous with lyrical and fantasy elements is one of the typical (and still very popular) traits of Czech dramatic creation. The theme of this charming fairy-tale opera is taken over from Božena N?mcová's folk tale of the same name about the brazen and fearless Kate, the wily shepherd Jirka and the duped devil Marbuel. Dvo?ák created a masterly patchwork of contrasting scenes – folksy, breezy, fiendishly fervent and courtly noble. Owing to the inspired invention with musical motifs and orchestra instrumentation, The Devil and Kate is a thoroughly original work from beginning to end, one that surpasses Dvo?ák’s previous operas in many respects. Adolf Born's exquisite sets and costumes bear the hallmark of this original and popular artist.