Karel Kovařovic


Karel Kovařovic was a Czech composer and conductor.

Life

From 1873 to 1879 he studied clarinet, harp and piano at the Prague Conservatory. He began his career as a harpist. In 1900 Kovařovic became the conductor of the national theatre in Prague, due mostly to the success of his opera The Dogheads, after the novel of the same name by Alois Jirásek. His engagement at the National Theatre lasted twenty years, until 1920. He composed seven operas.
Kovařovic is most remembered today for the revisions he made to Leoš Janáček's Jenůfa for its premiere in Prague, and it was in his version that the opera was heard for many years.
A recording of The Dogheads, featuring Beno Blachut, exists.

Compositions

Orchestra

Operas

Ballet

Incidental music

Works for choir