Translations and Pronunciation, Volume 1

Timothy Cheek

Responding to the ever-increasing popularity and international performances of operas by the Czech composer Leo? Jancek, this volume, the first in the Jancek Opera Libretti Series, is the full translation ofThe Cunning Little Vixenin English alongside the original Czech. This work meets the needs of English-speaking singers, conductors, coaches, and stage directors and conveniently provides idiomatic and word-for-word translations, including translations of stage and musical directions. In addition, the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is used to indicate Czech pronunciation, following the clearly-presented method given in the author’s bookSinging in Czech: A Guide to Czech Lyric Diction and Vocal Repertoire, with a foreword by Sir Charles Mackerras. Cheek also provides practical notes about Jancek’s style, both in general terms and specific issues relating to this opera along with a plot summary with translations and vocal ranges of characters and the pronunciation of their names.

This entire volume is organized in a clear, readable format, resulting in a book that will help to make productions ofThe Cunning Little Vixenin the original Czech much easier a task than ever before.