This doctoral thesis, entitled Heribert Svetel as an Amateur and a Professional Musician, delves into the social and cultural milieu of the first half of the 20th century in Slovenia, which influenced the operations and all-round development of amateur musical societies. Individual societies, such as the Ljubljana National Railway Music Society Sloga, attained a high standard both in performance and educational aspects, playing a pivotal role in fostering both amateur and professional musical culture. These advancements were largely propelled by key figures within the mentioned societies, who were predominantly music enthusiasts (choirmasters and/or educators) that honed their skills within the societies alongside a handful of professional musicians. Frequently, they surpassed the amateur realm and transitioned into professional musicians. The central focus of this thesis thus lies in exploring the performance, creative, educational, and editorial activities of Heribert Svetel (1895–1962) as the leader of Ljubljana's Sloga and the operatic conductor at the Slovenian National Theatre in Maribor. This thesis sheds light on the sociopolitical context and, notably, the cultural endeavors in which Svetel was immersed, tracing his educational and professional trajectory alongside his extensive musical engagements. Starting out as an amateur musician, he began as a choirmaster within the societies Slavec and Sloga, where he made significant contributions to music education. He then progressed as a composer and conductor at the Slovenian National Theatre in Maribor, ultimately shaping him into a seasoned professional musician. At the same time, this thesis meticulously examines and presents foundational facts about the extent, nature, and characteristics of his work within the specters of operatic performance and compositional output.
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