To provide a national character, Dvořák used a variety of dance and other forms in the opera, such as polka, waltz, sousedská, mazur and march, though the music remains typical of the composer. With short numbers, "The Cunning Peasant" is really an ensemble opera. The music is lyrical with the worlds of the Prince and the folk characters, of the lovers and plotters individually characterised with music that recurs. However, some of these portrayals also anticipate those of similar characters in later operas such as "The Jacobin". Contemporary critics saw the musical style as too symphonic. Eduard Hanslick, for example, considered the Act 2 ballet music as better suited for a symphonic scherzo.