Štefan Hoza
 | This articlerelies largely or entirely on asingle source.(June 2012) |
Štefan Hoza(20 October 1906,Smižany– 6 April 1982,Czechoslovakia) was aSlovakoperatictenor,actor,librettist,educator, music publicist, and historian.[1]
Hoza worked as a teacher before studying singing at theAcademy of Performing Arts in Bratislava.Just weeks after graduating, Hoza made his professional opera debut at theSlovak National Theatre(SNT) in Bratislava in 1932. He remained at the theatre for the next three decades. He also pursued further vocal training in Prague (1932), Milan (1933), and Vienna (1936).[1]
Hoza's repertoire at the SNT encompassed many heroic tenor roles and operetta roles; portraying more than 90 roles at the house during his lengthy career. He was especially praised for his portrayal of Prince Sou-Chong inFranz Lehár'sThe Land of Smiles.He notably portrayed the role of Ondrej Zimoň in the world premiere ofEugen Suchoň'sKrútňavaon 10 December 1949. He also co-wrote the libretto for that opera with Suchoň. He also wrote the librettos for two operas byJán Cikker,Juro Jánošík(1954) andBeg Bajazid(1957). In addition to performing, Hoza worked asdramaturgeat the SNT from 1939–1947. He also served as an opera director at the house for several productions between 1958–1962.[1]
Hoza also worked as an actor in a few Czech films, portraying Bolko Baranský inPolská krev(1934), Stepan Urbanec inHudba srdcí(1934), and the Head physician inNa pochode sa vzdy nespieva(1961). He also sang for the soundtracks of the first two aforementioned films and forZem spieva(1933). As a music historian he published three books related to the history of opera in Slovakia:Tvorcovia hudby(1943),Opera na Slovensku(1954), andVečer v opere(1975). He also published a two volume autobiography,Ja svoje srdce dám,in 1989.[1]
After retiring from the stage in 1962, Hoza joined the voice faculty of theBratislava Conservatory,where he taught up until his death. He had already begun teaching singing privately in 1952. In 1968 he was named a National Artist by the government of Czechoslovakia. In 1977, he signed theAnticharta,the reaction of the rulingCommunist Party of CzechoslovakiatoCharter 77.[1]
