Miroslav Švejda

Originally an engineer, he took voice lessons in Brno, Prague and Siena. He started his career as a soloist of the Prague Philharmonic Society and in 1969 became a member of the National Opera, where he stayed very long, until 2005. From lyrical roles like Ferrando, Don Ottavio, Tamino, Almaviva, Duca or Alfredo, he grew into a more dramatic repertory: Manrico, Turiddu, Don Carlo, Enzo Grimaldo... He was particularly successful as Pinkerton, as Oedipus rex (by Stravinsky), and in two operas by Martinů: in Julietta as Michel, and in The Greek passion as Manolios. Regular guest appearances in Brno and in Dresden. In the last ten or so years of his career, Švejda would switch to secondary roles. He was a good actor.

Reference 1; reference 2: Kutsch & Riemens

I wish to thank Vladimir Efimenko for the recordings and pictures.