Zátopek! by Emily Howard with a libretto by Selma Dimitrijevic is a 13 minute and 57 seconds mini-opera for seven singers, adult and children’s choir, chamber ensemble (2012) inspired by the life and times of iconic Czech long distance runner Emil Zátopek (1922–2000). At the 1952 Helsinki Olympics Zátopek achieved a sensational hat-trick winning gold at 5000m, 10,000m and the marathon, with a winning time at 5000m of 14 minutes and 6 seconds. Zátopek! is a thrilling near-real time musical recreation of this legendary race and celebration of its extraordinary winner.
Commissioned by Second Movement with funds from New Music 20x12 – a UK wide commissioning programme initiated by Jillian Barker and David Cohen, and delivered by PRS for Music Foundation in partnership with the BBC, LOCOG and NMC Recordings. Part of the London Cultural Olympiad 2012.
World première: 15 June 2012, The Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.
- ISMN: 9790577019963 (M577019963)
