DESCRIPTION:
Orchestra: Musica Florea. Conductor: Marek Štryncl. Czech Boys' Choir: Boni Pueri. Soloists: Noémi Kiss (S), Anna Hlavenková (S), Jaroslav Březina (T), Adam Zdunikowsi (T), Aleš Procházka (B), Markus Forster (CounterT). Composed: 1723. Performed: 2000, Rothmayer Hall, Prague Castle.

SYMPHONIA - Allegro Assai 0:0:00.

PROLUSIO - Chorus: Fortitudo Mea 0:05:51; Aria: Hæc coeli (T) 0:10:14; Recitativus: Hem! Quæ ista? (A, S) 0:14:00; Aria: En! Pietatis adamas (S) 0:14:48; Rec: Dura certamina (B) 0:17:48; Aria: Huc palmas deferte (B) 0:18:14; Rec: Hæc summa gloria (T, S) 0:21:08; Aria: Augusta domus Austriæ (S) 0:21:53.

ACTUS I - Aria: I, Phœbe, umbras pelle (CT) 0:24:46; Rec: En Fidei æmula (T) 0:27:25; Aria: Huc Virtutes, festinate (T) 0:27:56; Chorus: Eja, de figmentis 0:31:08; Rec: En! Pietati comes (S, CT) 0:32:28; Aria: Jam calle secundo (S, CT) 0:32:53; Ritornello: Più Andante 0:35:02; Rec: Nunquid non messis tritici est? (S, CT) 0:36:17; Aria: Meto culmos lego spicas (S, CT) 0:36:35.

ACTUS II - Rec: Quicunque glorificaverit me (T) 0:39:38; Aria: Angelicæ mentes (T) 0:40:02; Chorus of Angels: En, prompti ad mandata (Choir) 0:44:55; Aria, chamuleau solo: Ave, Deus recondite (S) 0:47:32; Rec: Proh! Quæ aëris inclementia (T) 0:55:04; Aria: Veni, Auster, lux perennis (T) 0:55:54; Rec: Per me reges regnant (B, S) 1:00:42; Aria: Exurge, Providentia! (B) 1:01:16; Rec: Corona gloriæ in manu Domini (S) 1:05:29; Aria, cello solo: Huc, cœli principes 1:05:47.

ACTUS III - Aria: Reviresce, effloresce, pacis olea (CT) 1:13:04; Rec: Aptate tympana (T) 1:16:04; Aria & Chorus: Vive, regna, Ferdinande (T) 1:16:37; Aria: Nova gaudia, nova, jubila (B) 1:18:47; Aria: En, duplo sole Czechia (S) 1:21:09.

EPILOGUS - Rec: Eja! Votivi omnia secundent plausus! (T) 1:26:30; Aria: Exurge, Martis gloria (T) 1:27:00; Chorus: Vos Oriens adoret (SATB & Choir) 1:30:21.

Full title: "Sub olea pacis et palma virtutis conspicua orbi regia Bohemiae Corona: Melodrama de Sancto Wenceslao"
English: Under the Olive Tree of Peace and the Palm Tree of Virtue the Crown of Bohemia Splendidly Shines Before the Whole World: Melodrama to Saint Wenceslaus.
Czech: Pod olivou míru a palmou ctnosti před celým světem nádherně skvoucí koruna Čech: Melodrama svatého Václava.

Information: Composed by the Czech master for the Coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI in Prague, 1723. This glorious music accompanied an extravagant display that was organised by the Prague Jesuits of the Klementinum (Zelenka himself having most likely been educated by there in his youth) involving actors, dancers and of course, singers and musicians.
The 'Melodrama' is in effect an embellished oratorio following Jesuit School tradition. It is full of allegory and symbolism with the purpose of praising the Habsburg dynastical claim over the peoples and lands of Bohemia ('Czechia'), via the bloodline of St. Wenceslas, their patron saint. The first half describes the story of St. Wenceslas, and the second asserts the Habsburg link to him. It is laden throughout with messages of Christian, Jesuit morality. The event was a huge success with the public and royal couple who attended, resulting in a further performance and numerous librettos purchased.
Zelenka was heavily involved musically with the coronation celebrations. He also speedily wrote three fine concertanti before he had to return to Dresden.

Background Painting: 'St Wenceslaus, Protector of Prague' - Karel Škréta 1658