Peter Dvorský - An Opera Singer with a Golden Voice

You have been the Director of the State Theatre in Košice for two and a half years to date. What has changed since your appointment?
"It is difficult for me to talk about it now. Although it has been a short period, there have been several positive things for the opera. Others may speak about it."

In your theatre, are you only the Director or do you also sing?
"I sing from time to time, but not very often. My mission is to manage the opera and to make it successful."

Do you like your job?
"Although a director’s work is interesting, I often find it is also stressful. It is not the same stress as before a performance. That one is more pleasant."

What does your theatre offer to its visitors?
"Apart from the regular opera performances, the State Opera also organises extra concerts or opera gala evenings with great worldrenowned singers such as Elena Obraztsová and Gabriela Beňačková. Inaddition, some excellent young singers from different countries are presented in every opera performance."

Slovak culture always struggles with financial problems. What is the situation in your theatre?
"We manage to just survive but it does not correspond to the work done nor to the prestige. Unfortunately, the Košice Theatre receives less funds than it deserves. As this situation has existed for a long time, and I am afraid that it will continue, we try to search for help from sponsors and cooperate with them in order to fill the financial gaps at least partially."

Is opera still attractive enough for audiences?
"I think it is. As is said particularly by opera fans, natives of Košice and those who love theatre and opera. Apart from that, there is an excellent ballet managed by Ondrej Šot and a very good dramatic group managed by Jozef Úradník in the theatre. I am convinced that at present, the Košice Theatre retains its position in Europe."

;reklama;

Do you not miss your regular performances?
"As I said, I rarely sing in our theatre and perform slightly more in other places. Two or three times in the season, I sing Tosca by G. Puccini. My latest charakter is Feri Báči from the operetta The Gipsy Princess by Kálmán. I am looking forward to the performance on 21st September, 2008 as part of the gala concert to the glory of Eugen Suchoň."

You had to move to Eastern Slovakia because of your work as Director. Did you adapt to it?
"I spend most of the year in the east and I can say I like living there. What I miss most is my closest family, mainly my wife."

How do you perceive Slovak culture?
"Slovakia has plenty of great and talented artists, musicians, singers, actors and also painters, writers, etc. They work hard every day, they create something, give us their art but many times they are not well rewarded for it. Society does not always appreciate their work. I am disturbed also by the poor interest of the public in culture because not only artists contribute to it but also its consumers. We will still have a lot to learn."

Besides working, do you have any time for relaxation?
"When I do not work, I like meeting my friends and taking a glass of wine. I like sleeping, the smell of home cuisine, the company and closeness of my family and especially the friendship of my beautiful grandson Martinko. Sometimes we play the piano together which he enjoys. Martinko is not yet two years old. If I had enough free time, I would like to relax in the countryside, somewhere near a lake or maybe a fast running stream. And it need not be abroad. Slovakia is beautiful and there is much of it I have not seen."

What do you recommend to the people who visit the region you work in now?
"As the Director of the National Theatre in Košice I recommend some of our opera performances of course. I believe that people would enjoy them. I would also recommend the surrounding countryside and forests near Košice, especially that of Jahodná. There is relaxing and healthy air everywhere and this heals your mind."

By Dodo Mikláš
Photo: Archive P.D.

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