Dive into the rich tapestry of Czech opera with Bedřich Smetana's "The Two Widows, JB 1:108," a captivating two-act opera that showcases the composer's mastery of the genre. This album, released on July 19, 2024, under the Supraphon label, offers a comprehensive exploration of Smetana's operatic genius, spanning a generous duration of 2 hours and 5 minutes.
"The Two Widows" is based on a libretto by Emanuel František Züngel, adapted from Jean Pierre Felicien Mallefille's one-act play "Les deux veuves." The opera, composed between June 1873 and January 1874, premiered on March 27, 1874, at the Prague Czech Theatre under Smetana's direction. This recording features a stellar cast, including Jiří Zahradníček, Naďa Šormová, Jaroslav Horáček, Marcela Machotková, and Daniela Šounová-Brouková, accompanied by the Prague National Theatre Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of František Jílek.
The album presents a full performance of the opera, complete with overtures, arias, and ensemble pieces that highlight Smetana's distinctive musical language. From the lively "Overture" to the charming "Polka (dance) - The Lord God Must Love Us," each track offers a glimpse into the composer's unique style and the rich cultural heritage of Czech opera. Notable arias include "A Fine Morning" (Karolina), "I Rule Independently" (Karolina), and "When May Comes Calling" (Ladislav Podhájský), each showcasing the vocal prowess of the performers and the depth of Smetana's compositional skills.
This album is an essential addition to any classical music collection, offering a comprehensive and engaging exploration of one of Bedřich Smetana's most beloved operas. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "The Two Widows, JB 1:108" promises an unforgettable musical experience.
2024 SUPRAPHON a.s.2024 SUPRAPHON a.s.
Tracks
Two Widows, JB 1:108: "Overture"Bedřich Smetana, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I, Scene 1: "A Fine Morning" (Karolina)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, František Jílek, Milan Malý
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I, Scene 2: "Oh, Good Morning, Dear Causin!" (Karolina, Anežka)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I: "I Rule Independently" (Karolina)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I: "Well Then, What Would You Have Me Do?" (Karolina, Anežka)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I, Scene 3: "Good Morning, Gracious Lady!" (Karolina, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I, Scene 3: "Our Good and Gracious Lady Feels Sympathy for Poachers" (Karolina, Anežka, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I, Scene 3: "His Only Redeeming Grace Is That He Misses Everything!" (Karolina, Anežka, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I, Scene 4: "If He Brings Here Now, What Then?" (Karolina, Anežka)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I, Scene 5: "Will I Wander Here Long" (Ladislav Podhájský, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I, Scene 6: "Everything Is in Order, Gracious Lady" (Karolina, Anežka, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I, Scene 7: "The Prisoner Is at the Door!" (Ladislav Podhájský, Mumlal, Karolina, Anežka)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I, Scene 7: "My ladies, I beg your forgiveness!" (Karolina, Anežka, Ladislav Podhájský, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I, Scene 7: "What Do You Want?" (Karolina, Anežka, Ladislav Podhájský, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I, Scene 7: "You Little Beast" (Karolina, Anežka, Ladislav Podhájský, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act I: "Look, Mumlal, We´ve Got You Here… Divine Love, a True Gift" (Karolina, Anežka, Ladislav Podhájský, Mumlal, Toník, Lidunka)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Švehla, Daniela Šounová-Brouková
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II: "Overture II"Bedřich Smetana, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 1: "When May Comes Calling" (Ladislav Podhájský)Bedřich Smetana, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 1: "Fine Idea Keeping That Man Here" (Karolina, Anežka, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 2: "There Is No More Doubt… Decided, Finished" (Karolina, Anežka)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 3: "A Poem!" (Anežka)Bedřich Smetana, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 3: "Do You Want to Keep Fleeing from Me" (Anežka, Ladislav Podhájský)Bedřich Smetana, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 3: "Ah, How Cruelly My Feigned Resistance" (Anežka, Ladislav Podhájský)Bedřich Smetana, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II: "What Do You Want to Tell Me?" (Anežka, Ladislav Podhájský)Bedřich Smetana, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 3: "But That Was Not in the Letter, Sir" (Anežka, Ladislav Podhájský)Bedřich Smetana, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 4: "Halt, Sir!" (Karolina, Anežka, Ladislav Podhájský)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 5: "They Are Leaving Together to Have Fun" (Anežka)Bedřich Smetana, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 5: "Oh, What a Beautiful Day" (Anežka)Bedřich Smetana, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 6: "Fine! Wonderful!" (Anežka, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 6: "When Anything at All Bothers Me" (Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 6: "My Beloved, Worthy Friend" (Anežka, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 7: "What´s This, Girl, What’s This?" (Mumlal, Toník, Lidunka)Bedřich Smetana, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek, Zdeněk Švehla, Daniela Šounová-Brouková
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 8: "Mumlal, Go and Grumble Like a Bear" (Karolina, Ladislav Podhájský, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 9: "Oh! Ah, What a Surprise" (Karolina, Anežka, Ladislav Podhájský, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II, Scene 9: "Gracious Lady!" (Karolina, Ladislav Podhájský, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Jiri Zahradnicek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Marcela Machotkova, František Jílek
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II: "I Hereby Bring the Glorious News" (Karolina, Mumlal)Bedřich Smetana, Naďa Šormová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Jaroslav Horáček, František Jílek, Milan Malý
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II: "The Lord God Must Love Us" (Karolina)Bedřich Smetana, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, František Jílek, Milan Malý
Two Widows, JB 1:108, Act II: "Polka (dance) - The Lord God Must Love Us"Bedřich Smetana, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, František Jílek, 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.
Vinylscout
Bedřich Smetana
