Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Czech history and culture with Bedřich Smetana's "Libuše, JB 1:102," a captivating live recording of his monumental opera. Composed between 1869 and 1872, "Libuše" is a cornerstone of Czech opera, celebrating the legendary princess who prophesied the founding of Prague. This album, released in 2024, marks the bicentenary of Smetana's birth and features a stellar performance by the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Robert Jindra, music director of the Prague National Theatre.
The opera, set to a libretto by Josef Wenzig, translated into Czech by Ervin Špindler, unfolds over three acts, bringing to life the dramatic tale of Libuše and her brothers. The album spans nearly two and a half hours, offering a comprehensive experience of Smetana's masterful composition. From the stirring "Overture" to the triumphant "Ceremonial Procession," each track is a testament to Smetana's genius and the enduring power of his music.
Highlights include the powerful arias and ensembles that showcase the depth and range of the opera's characters, such as "You, Krok’s Illustrious Daughter" and "Libuše’s Prophecy: O Gods Almighty." The album also features notable performances by soloists like Mária Porubčinová as Libuše, bringing authenticity and passion to the role.
"Libuše, JB 1:102" is not just a recording; it's a live performance that captures the energy and excitement of a concert hall. The album's duration of 2 hours and 46 minutes ensures that every nuance of Smetana's score is fully realized, providing an immersive experience for classical music enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Whether you're a longtime admirer of Smetana's work or discovering it for the first time, this album is a treasure trove of musical brilliance.
2024 SUPRAPHON a.s.2024 SUPRAPHON a.s.
Tracks
Libuše, JB 1:102: "Overture" - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I, Scene 1: "You, Krok’s Illustrious Daughter" (Libuše, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Eva Děpoltová
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I: "Eternal Gods, Ye That Dwell Above the Clouds" (Libuše, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Eva Děpoltová, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I: "I Cannot Join Them!" (Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Eva Děpoltová
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I, Scene 2: "Alas That Between Sons Such" (Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Radovan) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Antonín Švorc, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I, Scene 3: "The Snake Is Not Here" (Chrudoš) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Antonín Švorc
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I: "You Elders, Chieftains!" (Libuše) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Prague National Theatre Orchestra
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I: "I Am the Elder Son" (Libuše, Chrudoš, Šťáhlav) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Antonín Švorc
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I: "Both the Kinsmen, Brothers Klenovici" (Libuše, Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Radovan) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Antonín Švorc, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I: "You Yourselves Have Heard How He Insulted Me" (Libuše, Radovan) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II, Scene 1: "Water the Horses Now and Wait for Me!" (Lutobor, Krasava) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "My Father, Before You Proclaim Your Severe Judgment" (Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "Like a Dark Cloud Chrudoš Rushed Through the Burg’s Gates" (Lutobor) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Karel Průša
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II, Scene 2: "My Uncle Bid Me to My Father’s Grave" (Chrudoš, Krasava) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "With Krasava He’s Reconciled!" (Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II, Scene 3: "Heya! Heya! Without Rest Onward" (Four Harvesters) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Jana Jonasova, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Jiřina Marková, Marie Vesela, Miroslav Svejda
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "The Sun Is Blazing" (Přemysl) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "Nature Might Will Reward Our Labours" (Přemysl, Four Harvesters) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Jana Jonasova, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Jiřina Marková, Marie Vesela, Miroslav Svejda
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II, Scene 4: "The Work Is Finished" (Přemysl) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III, Scene 5: "But I Shall Remain Here… O, Ye Lime-Trees" (Přemysl) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II, Scene 4, 5: "What Is This Noise?… From Libuše We Bring You Greetings" (Přemysl, Radovan) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "Peace Be With You, My Father’s Quiet Gardens" (Přemysl) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "In My Mind to You!" (Přemysl, Radovan) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III, Scene 1: "Peace Is Made Again Between Two Brothers" (Libuše, Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III, Scene 2: "He Comes! He Still Remains Hidden…" (Libuše, Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III, Scene 3: "Welcome to Us" (Libuše) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III, Scene 4: "Did She Not Say That All the Power…" (Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Krasava) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III, Scene 5: "Ceremonial Procession" - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III: "Hail, Stronghold Vyšehrad… O Gods, Ye, Who Are Surrounded by Glory" (Libuše, Přemysl, Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Radovan, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III: "I Have Learned About Two Brothers‘ Cruel Strife" (Libuše, Přemysl, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Radovan, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III: "Libuše’s Prophecy: O Gods Almighty" (Libuše, Přemysl, Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Radovan, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Bedřich Smetana, born on March 2, 1824, in Litomyšl, is celebrated as the father of Czech national music and a pivotal figure in the Romantic era. His compositions, including the iconic symphonic poem cycle "Má vlast" and beloved operas like "The Bartered Bride" and "Libuše," have left an indelible mark on classical music. Smetana's journey began at the age of four when he started learning the violin and later the piano, under his father's guidance. His musical prowess extended beyond composition; he was also a renowned pianist, chamber musician, and respected music educator. As a director and influential critic, Smetana's organizational efforts significantly shaped the cultural landscape of his time. Despite facing personal tragedies, including gradual hearing loss, his legacy endures, inspiring generations of composers and solidifying his status as one of the most esteemed Czech musicians worldwide. His contributions to music are not just heard but felt, making him a timeless figure in the classical music canon.
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Bedřich Smetana
