Vrchlicky, Jaroslav (1853 - 1912)

Born with the name Emil Frida, Czech poet and translator. He was in contact with Dvorak at the latest by the year 1884, when the composer requested a libretto from him for his oratorio Saint Ludmila. Dvorak later used Vrchlicky’s texts on two occasions: in 1900 for the cantata Festival Song and, in the years 1902–1903, for the opera Armida. In 1901 both Dvorak and Vrchlicky were appointed life members of the Upper House of the Austrian Parliament; on 14 May of that year, together they attended the appointment ceremony and took the oath. After Dvorak’s death Vrchlicky paid tribute to the composer in two poems included in the collection Silent Steps.