Naslov
National-historical Operas as Pseudo- historiographical works

Autori
Babić, Petra

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, neobjavljeni rad, znanstveni

Skup
Historical Fiction Research Conference

Mjesto i datum
Salzburg, Austrija, 21.02.2020. - 22.02.2020

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
National-historical operas, Nikola Šubić Zrinjski, Bánk bán

Sažetak
This paper uses case-studies of two national- historical operas to showcase how historical fiction has been used in the 19th-century construction of national narrative and in the affirmation of constructive myths. Two operas in question are Nikola Šubić Zrinjski (1876) by Ivan Zajc and Bánk bán (1861) by Ferenc Erkel, both beeing the most popular and the most frequently performed operas in their respective countries. The former thematises events surrounding the battle of Szigetvár (1566) and heroism of the town's commander Zrinski who, along with 2300 of his men, withstood the month-long siege of 100000 Ottomans under Suleyman the Magnificent and rather perished than surrendered to the enemy. In the national narrative its glorification gained almost religious features, while Zrinski became part of national pantheon and to this day is celebrated as saviour of Croatia and of European culture. The later revolves around a more infamous event – the murder of the German- born Hungarian queen Gertrude of Merania (1213), committed by a group of Hungarian noblemen. Interestingly, national narrative celebrates them too as saviours of the country and avengers for the injustice inflicted on Hungarians. The paper demonstrates in which ways historical events were adapted to construct a narrative that would serve a purpose of strengthening the sense of national adherence, either through pride and identification with (Zrinjski), or through strongly accentuated division on „us“ and „them“ (Bánk bán). However different the original events and subsequent narratives might have been, they've both entered collective memory, in which they became to be perceived as pivotal moments from national history, and both have fulfilled their political purposes.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

POVEZANOST RADA