Kamila Stösslová

Kamila Stösslová (née Neumannová) (1891-1935) holds an unusual place in music history. The composer Leo? Janáček, upon meeting her in 1917 in the resort town of Luhačovice, fell deeply in love with her, despite both their marriages and the fact he was considerably older than Kamila. She was a profound influence on the composer in his last decade.

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Née - 1891 - 1935 - Composer - Leo? Janáček - 1917 - Luhačovice

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Despite her ambivalence to his feelings for her, Janáček was inspired by her to create the lead characters of three of his operas; Katyá in Katyá Kabanová, the vixen in The Cunning Little Vixen and Emilia Marty in The Makropulos Affair. Other works that were inspired by his passion include The Diary of One Who Disappeared, the Glagolitic Mass, his Sinfonietta and the String Quartet No. 2 (subtitled Intimate Letters).

Related Topics:
Opera - Katyá Kabanová - The Cunning Little Vixen - The Makropulos Affair - The Diary of One Who Disappeared - Glagolitic Mass - Sinfonietta - String Quartet No. 2

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While many of these works reveal a realization that Kamila's love to Janáček was unrequited, she was nonetheless the subject of intense correspondence. There are over 700 letters (and the aforementioned string quartet which was inspired by them) that bear witness to his intense obsession with this young woman. Although she always remained emotionally aloof, she was with him when he died in 1928.

Related Topics:
String quartet - 1928

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