Jaroslav Vrchlický (1853–1912)

Born with the name Emil Frída, Czech poet and translator. He was in contact with Dvořák at the latest by the year 1884, when the composer requested a libretto from him for his oratorio Saint Ludmila. Dvořák later used Vrchlický’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 Dvořák and Vrchlický 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 Dvořák’s death Vrchlický paid tribute to the composer in two poems included in the collection Silent Steps.