Tchaikovsky
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Prague

Prague (Praha) is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, situated on the River Vltava in central Bohemia. During Tchaikovsky's lifetime it was part of the Austrian crownland of Bohemia, and part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1867.

The composer paid three visits to Prague:

• 31 January/12 February–10/22 February 1888 — to rehearse and conduct two concerts of his own works (see below). On his arrival he was given a civic reception, and there were events held in his honour at the Artists' Forum (Umělecká beseda) (1/13 February), at the Russian Club (4/16 February). the Students' Society (4/16 February), the Civic Forum (Měšťanská beseda) (4/16 February). He also spent a great deal of time with the composer Antonín Dvořák, and met other Czech musicians and dignitaries.
• 15/27 November–25 November/7 December 1888 — for further conducting engagements, including the Czech premiere of the opera Evgenii Onegin (see below).
• 30 September/12 October–1/13 October 1892 — to attend the Czech premiere of the opera The Queen of Spades at the National Theatre, conducted by Adolf Čech. "It passed off very well, and the ovations were enthusiastic" [1] .

Tchaikovsky's conducting schedule was as follows:

• 7/19 February 1888 — the second grand concert of the Society of Artists (Umělecká beseda) at the Rudolfinum, including the overture-fantasia Romeo and Juliet, the Piano Concerto No. 1 (soloist Aleksandr Ziloti), the Elegy from the Suite No. 3, the Violin Concerto (soloist Karel Halíř), and the overture The Year 1812. "Generally this has been one of the most important days of my life. I'm very much in love with these good Czechs" [2]
• 9/21 February 1888 — a concert at the National Theatre (Národní Divadlo), featuring the Serenade for String Orchestra, the Theme with Variations from the Suite No. 3, various piano pieces (soloist Aleksandr Ziloti), the overture The Year 1812, and concluding with a staged performance of Act II of the ballet Swan Lake (for the first time outside Russia). "Enormous success... A moment of absolute happiness. But just a moment..." [3].
• 18/30 November 1888 — a concert of Tchaikovsky's own works, including the Symphony No. 5 and Piano Concerto No. 2 (soloist Vasilii Sapel’nikov).
• 24 November/6 December 1888 — a production of Evgenii Onegin at the National Theatre (for the first time outside Russia). Afterwards the composer was met with "an unending series of the most enthusiastic ovations. The performance was very good, particularly the singer who performed the role of Tat'iana [Berta Foerstrova-Lautererová], whom I liked very much" [4].

Notes:

1. Letter 4781 to Anatolii Tchaikovsky, 7/19 October 1892 [back]
2. Diary entry for 7/19 February 1888 [back]
3. Diary entry for 8/20 February 1888 [back]
4. Letter 3731 to Nadezhda von Meck, 26 November/8 December 1888 [back]