Hlavkova, Zdenka (1843 - 1902)

Wife of architect Josef Hlavka from 1886. She was a great admirer of Dvorak’s music and was a friend of the composer for many years. She was an excellent pianist and during the Dvoraks’ visits to Luzany or at the traditional Friday evening soirees at the Hlavka’s Prague residence she often performed his works for four hands with him. In 1887 she sang the solo soprano part at the first performance of Mass in D major held in the chapel of Luzany castle. In 1880, at that time still using her maiden name Havelkova, she took part in the premiere in Prague of Dvorak’s own arrangement of some of the Moravian Duets for four unaccompanied female voices. Later that year, she joined violinist Josef Klimes in the world premiere of Dvorak’s Sonata for Violin and Piano, held in Chrudim.