Jarmila Novotna: My Life in Song

[3rd Floor]

An exclusive American introduction of the memoirs of Czech-American opera star and film actress, Jarmila Novotna (1907-1994). Author and editor William V. Madison will speak about the international triumphs of this multi-talented celebrity who acted as a cultural ambassador for the Czechoslovak nation throughout her career—beginning in Prague with her opera debut as a lyric soprano at age 17 and including 16 years with New York’s Metropolitan Opera. Her granddaughter, Tatiana Daubek, with Daubek’s ensemble House of Time, will pay musical tribute with a program featuring music of Mozart, Krommer, and Dvorak.

William V. Madison, a former associate editor of Opera News, interviewed Jarmila Novotna while he pursued his MFA in creative writing from Columbia University. He is the author of Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life and frequently writes for music publications as well as his blog, Billevesées.

House of Time, known for their “fluency and command,” is dedicated to both well-known and underperformed repertoire of the 17th through the 21st century played on period instruments. Members and guests include Juilliard and Curtis faculty and alumni of The Juilliard School, as well as prize-winners of major international competitions.

For more information, please visit www.bohemianbenevolent.org.