Although in The Bartered Bride Smetana largely avoided the direct quotation of folksong, the music he composed was considered to be Czech in spirit, meaning that he succeeded in his aim of creating a ...

For over 150 years, The Bartered Bride has occupied the top position among Czech operas. Said to be now part of the Czech DNA, its popularity eclipses that of any other feted Bedřich Smetana opera.

The Bartered Bride’s grotesque yet highly moving story is grasped with tenderness, intelligent wit and hyperbole, as well as an understanding for the long-gone order (disorder) of human lives in the ...

“My music is rhythmic because I am Czech… the natural music of the Czechs is rhythm – strong and agile rhythm.” (Martinů). How well the conductor Jac van Steen and the director Paul Curran understood ...

Musically, Bedřich Smetana’s The Bartered Bride is marvellous, vivid, dance-infused work. In the second performance of the run, conductor Jac van Steen and the Philharmonia Orchestra were achieving ...

Bohemia in the 19th century, stage-coach driver Hans, loves the mayor's daughter Marie, but she is promised Wenzel, the son of another wealthy farmer. Marie refuses to marry Wenzel because of Hans, ...

When the work’s level of inspiration rises, so does Bělohlávek’s. In Mařenka’s great Act 3 aria, Bělohlávek’s treatment of lower strings conveys Mařenka’s gut-wrenching dilemma and goes on to enhance ...

The plot of The Bartered Bride is the silliest kind of farce (its choicest gag involves a dancing circus bear on a rampage), but the music is lush and lovely. Also, the young pupils of the New World ...

The Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra Of New York. side 1: The Bartered Bride: Overture (beginning); side 2: The Bartered Bride: Overture (conclusion) (Columbia 19003-D). North, James N.. New York ...