Zdenka Hlávková (1843–1902)

Wife of architect Josef Hlávka from 1886. She was a great admirer of Dvořák’s music and was a friend of the composer for many years. She was an excellent pianist and during the Dvořáks’ visits to Lužany or at the traditional Friday evening soirees at the Hlávka’s Prague residence she often performed his works for four hands with him. In 1887 she sang the solo soprano part at the first performance of Mass in D major held in the chapel of Lužany castle. In 1880, at that time still using her maiden name Havelková, she took part in the premiere in Prague of Dvořák’s own arrangement of some of the Moravian Duets for four unaccompanied female voices. Later that year, she joined violinist Josef Klimeš in the world premiere of Dvořák’s Sonata for Violin and Piano, held in Chrudim.