Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Czech opera with Bedřich Smetana's "The Kiss, JB 1:104," a captivating album that brings to life one of the composer's most beloved works. This release, set to debut on July 26, 2024, under the esteemed Supraphon label, offers a comprehensive exploration of Smetana's operatic genius, spanning a total of 29 tracks and a duration of 1 hour and 52 minutes.
Composed between 1875 and 1876, with revisions in 1877, "The Kiss" is a two-act opera that premiered in Prague at the Provisional Theatre on November 7, 1876. This album features a meticulous performance by the Brno Janáček Opera Orchestra, conducted by František Vajnar, with a stellar cast that includes Eva Děpoltová and Leo Marian Vodička, among others. The opera is presented in its entirety, allowing enthusiasts to experience the full narrative and musical depth of Smetana's work.
"The Kiss" is a charming and witty opera that revolves around the themes of love, misunderstanding, and reconciliation. The story unfolds in a small Czech village, where the central characters, Vendulka and Lukáš, navigate the complexities of their relationship amidst a backdrop of village life and local customs. The opera's score is renowned for its lyrical melodies, vibrant orchestration, and Smetana's distinctive compositional style, which beautifully captures the essence of Czech folk music.
This album is a treasure trove for classical music lovers, offering a rare opportunity to delve into the intricate details of Smetana's compositional process. The performances are brought to life with a high level of artistry and authenticity, ensuring that every nuance of the original score is faithfully preserved. Whether you are a seasoned opera aficionado or a curious newcomer, this album promises an enriching and enjoyable listening experience.
2024 SUPRAPHON a.s.2024 SUPRAPHON a.s.
Tracks
The Kiss, JB 1:104: "Overture"Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 1: "Vendulka! Father! Listen! Where Are You?" (Father Paloucký, Vendulka, Martinka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 2: "They´re Coming" (Father Paloucký, Vendulka, Martinka, Barče)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova, Božena Effenberková
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 3: "Good Evening! You Act Like You’re Drunk" (Father Paloucký, Lukáš, Tomeš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I: "Barče, Quickly, Something for Our Guests!" (Father Paloucký, Lukáš, Tomeš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 4: "My Dearest! You Are Mine! ... We Belong to Each Other?" (Vendulka, Lukáš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik, Eliška Krásnohorská
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I: "No! Leave Me Be!" (Father Paloucký, Vendulka, Lukáš, Tomeš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 5: "Never, Never in My Sorrow" (Vendulka, Lukáš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 5: "No, I Say, Leave Me Be!" (Vendulka, Lukáš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 6: "Just as I Said, So Has It Happened!" (Father Paloucký)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička, Eliška Krásnohorská
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I: "Was He Right When He Warned Me?" (Vendulka, Lukáš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 7: "Where´s He Going? ... As if He Forgot About That Lovely Time" (Vendulka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova, Eliška Krásnohorská
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I: "What Happened? ... I’m an Old Woman, My Dear Girl" (Vendulka, Martinka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 7: "And You, My Baby - Sleep Now, My Angel - A Little Snow White Dove Was Flying" (Vendulka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 8: "What a Disgrace!" (Vendulka, Lukáš, Barče)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička, Božena Effenberková
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 9: "You Should Be Ashamed! Even a Boy Would Be Ashamed to Misbehave Like This!" (Vendulka, Lukáš, Tomeš, Barče)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Božena Effenberková, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II: "Overture II"Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 1: "Go on!" (Matouš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Karel Hanus, František Vajnar, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 2: "Woe Is Me! ... If I Knew How to Erase My Guilt" (Lukáš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Leo Marian Vodička
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 3: "What a Chase He Led Me! He Vanished like a Ghost! Just Ask for It, You Fool" (Lukáš, Tomeš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 4: "Ha, ha, Lukáš, You Have Such Troubles With Your Love!" (Matouš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Karel Hanus, František Vajnar, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 5: "But There Are Two People!" (Vendulka, Martinka, Matouš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Karel Hanus, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 5: "Oh, How Could I Believe so Foolishly" (Vendulka, Martinka, Matouš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Karel Hanus, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 6: "Vendulka, Dearie, How Do You Like" (Vendulka, Martinka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova, Zdeněk Jankovský, Eliška Krásnohorská
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 6: "Good Morning, Sir" (Martinka, A Frontier Guard, Vendulka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova, Zdeněk Jankovský
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 6: "He Showed You Well What Is Hidden in a Man" (Vendulka, Martinka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 7: "Ah! I Cannot Breathe for Running… Announce, Little Bird, a Good Morning!" (Barče)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Božena Effenberková
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 8: "Here Is Martinka’s Abode" (Father Paloucký, Lukáš, Matouš, Barče, Tomeš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, Karel Hanus, František Vajnar, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Božena Effenberková, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 9: "It’s Him! It’s Her!" (Father Paloucký, Vendulka, Tomeš, Martinka, Matouš, Barče)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, Karel Hanus, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Vaclav Zitek, Libuse Marova, Božena Effenberková, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
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
