Karel Čech (1844–1913)

Opera singer, bass, member of the National Theatre Opera in Prague, and brother of conductor Adolf Čech. He frequently performed in Dvořák’s oratorios, including the premiere of Stabat Mater on 23 December 1880, and in the premieres of several of the composer’s operas: for the premiere of the second musical setting of the opera King and Collier on 24 November 1874 at the Provisional Theatre he appeared in the role of the collier Matěj; for the premiere of the opera The Cunning Peasant on 27 January 1878 (same venue) he sang the role of Martin; in the premiere of the one-act opera The Stubborn Lovers on 2 October 1881 at the New Czech Theatre he appeared as godfather Řeřicha; and in the premiere of the opera The Jacobin on 12 February 1889 at the National Theatre, he sang the role of Count Vilém of Harasov. He spent a lot of time in Dvořák’s company particularly in the years 1864–1865, when they shared lodgings in a flat on Senovážné náměstí.