We Had a Falcon. A Tribute to Štefánik
A Literary and Musical Composition in Honour of Milan Rastislav Štefánik
The poetic programme We Had a Falcon offers an artistic remembrance of one of the most prominent figures in Slovak history, as well as a man whose life represented Slovakia as a natural part of Europe. The project was created to mark the 100th anniversary of Štefánik’s tragic death and was performed for the first time on 4 May 2019 in his native Košariská.
The concept and script were created by the distinguished Slovak actor, reciter and teacher Juraj Sarvaš, whose name is closely associated with the Banská Bystrica opera scene. Today, the programme also serves as an artistic tribute to his memory and a reminder of his lifelong love of the spoken word, Slovak history and culture.
Through spoken word, operatic singing and music, the audience is transported to key moments in Štefánik’s remarkable life – from his scientific and exploratory expeditions to his diplomatic and political activities, which played a crucial role in the establishment of Czechoslovakia. Musical contributions featuring works by Slovak and Czech composers add a powerful emotional dimension to the story, creating a space where history and artistic experience come together.
The performance will be presented by the National Theatre Banská Bystrica, a prominent Slovak music and drama theatre with a tradition dating back to 1959. Over the decades, its professional opera company has established itself as one of Slovakia’s leading opera companies. In addition to opera, its repertoire includes operetta, musicals, ballet, music and drama productions, and dance projects. Throughout its history, the theatre has staged hundreds of premieres, and a number of major figures in Slovak opera, including Edita Gruberová, began or pursued their careers on its stage. Since 1 July 2026, the institution has borne the new name National Theatre Banská Bystrica, reflecting its long-standing artistic activity while emphasising its significance on a national level.
We Had a Falcon is an intimate encounter between music, poetry and history. It is an invitation to pause and reflect on the story of a man whose life was short, yet whose legacy in Slovak and European history remains significant to this day.
Production Team
Concept and texts: Juraj Sarvaš
Text adaptation, dramatisation and musical dramaturgy: Šimon Svitok
Cast
Narrator: Šimon Svitok
Štefánik: Ondrej Ferko
Father: Šimon Svitok
Mother: Eva Lucká
Mimi: Michaela Kušteková
Professor Jansen: Dušan Šimo
Chovanová: Katarína Procházková
Lidunka: Michaela Kušteková
Neumannová: Katarína Procházková
Louise Wiess: Michaela Kušteková
Guliana Benzoni: Katarína Procházková
Lieutenant Scoti: Dušan Šimo
Piano accompaniment: Martina Svitková
Source: National Theatre Banská Bystrica (photo: K. Baranyai)
