Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Czech classical music with Bedřich Smetana's "The Secret and Viola," a stunning double opera album that showcases the composer's mastery of the genre. This 2024 release from SUPRAPHON a.s. features the Prague National Theatre Orchestra under the baton of Zdeněk Košler, delivering a powerful and nuanced performance that brings Smetana's works to life.
"The Secret and Viola" is a celebration of Smetana's operatic genius, featuring two of his most beloved works. "The Secret" (Tajemství) is a captivating opera that weaves a tale of love, deception, and redemption, set against the backdrop of a small Czech village. The opera is renowned for its vivid characters, intricate plot, and stunning choral arrangements. "Viola" is a lesser-known but equally compelling work, offering a glimpse into Smetana's early career and his evolving compositional style.
The album spans nearly three hours, with 39 tracks that capture the full breadth of Smetana's operatic vision. From the stirring "Overture" to the intimate duets and ensemble pieces, each track is a testament to Smetana's ability to craft memorable melodies and evocative harmonies. The performances by the Prague National Theatre Orchestra and Chorus, along with a stellar cast of vocalists, are nothing short of breathtaking, bringing depth and authenticity to each character and scene.
This release is particularly significant as 2024 marks the 200th birth anniversary and the 140th anniversary of Smetana's death, making it a fitting tribute to the composer's enduring legacy. Whether you're a longtime fan of Smetana's music or a newcomer to his works, "The Secret and Viola" is an essential addition to any classical music collection. Experience the timeless beauty of Smetana's operas and discover why his music continues to captivate audiences around the world.
2024 SUPRAPHON a.s.2024 SUPRAPHON a.s.
Tracks
The Secret: "Overture"Bedřich Smetana, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I, Scene 1: "Beautiful Corn" (Miss Róza, Bonifác)Bedřich Smetana, Věra Soukupová, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I, Scene 2: "Now, Master, Now!" (Bonifác, Kalina, Master bricklayer, Innkeeper)Bedřich Smetana, Karel Průša, Vaclav Zitek, Bohuslav Maršík, Eva Hlobilová, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I, Scene 3: "How Lively It Is Here!" (Malina, Kalina, Skřivánek)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Vaclav Zitek, Oldřich Spisar, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I: "Listen, You Distant World!" (Kalina, Skřivánek, Miss Róza, Bonifác, Master bricklayer, Innkeeper)Bedřich Smetana, Vaclav Zitek, Oldřich Spisar, Věra Soukupová, Karel Průša, Bohuslav Maršík, Eva Hlobilová, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I: "Not One Word More!" (Malina, Kalina, Miss Róza, Bonifác, Skřivánek, Master bricklayer, Innkeeper)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Vaclav Zitek, Věra Soukupová, Karel Průša, Oldřich Spisar, Bohuslav Maršík, Eva Hlobilová, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I, Scene 4: "Look, the Bagpipes Have Arrived, Come, Uncle, Play!" (Malina, Kalina, Bonifác)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Vaclav Zitek, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I, Scene 5: "Father, Please! Stop It, Father!" (Malina, Kalina, Miss Róza, Blaženka, Vít)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Vaclav Zitek, Věra Soukupová, Daniela Šounová-Brouková, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I: "My Little Vít! Including How I Love to Hear" (Vít)Bedřich Smetana, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I, Scene 6: "Here I Am Fighting" (Kalina, Vít, Bonifác)Bedřich Smetana, Vaclav Zitek, Leo Marian Vodička, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I, Scene 7: "Where’s Councillor Kalina?" (Bonifác, Master bricklayer)Bedřich Smetana, Karel Průša, Bohuslav Maršík, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I, Scene 8: "What’s the Hurry?" (Master bricklayer, Innkeeper, Jirka)Bedřich Smetana, Bohuslav Maršík, Eva Hlobilová, Alfréd Hampel, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I, Scene 9: "I Wonder If She Is Here?" (Blaženka, Vít, Skřivánek, Jirka)Bedřich Smetana, Daniela Šounová-Brouková, Leo Marian Vodička, Oldřich Spisar, Alfréd Hampel, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act II, Scene 1: "I´m a Beggar!" (Kalina)Bedřich Smetana, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act II, Scene 2: "Rise from under the Earth Including Mother of God, Bestow on Me" (Ghost of Friar Barnabáš)Bedřich Smetana, Pavel Horáček, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act II, Scene 3: "Mother of God, Bestow on Me the Ray of Your Blessing!" (Kalina, Skřivánek)Bedřich Smetana, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Oldřich Spisar
The Secret, Act II, Scene 4: "What? My Sweetheart… My Joy" (Blaženka, Vít)Bedřich Smetana, Daniela Šounová-Brouková, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act II: "When I But Hear the Tune of Your Horn" (Blaženka)Bedřich Smetana, Daniela Šounová-Brouková, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act II: "What Has Saddened Your Hard So? … You Cast Down Your Sweet Eyes" (Blaženka, Vít)Bedřich Smetana, Daniela Šounová-Brouková, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act II, Scene 5: "What a Pretty Scene!" (Blaženka, Vít, Bonifác)Bedřich Smetana, Daniela Šounová-Brouková, Leo Marian Vodička, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act II: "There, There, Look If It Is True" (Malina, Kalina, Skřivánek, Master bricklayer)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Vaclav Zitek, Oldřich Spisar, Bohuslav Maršík, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act II, Scene 6: "Well, Father!" (Malina, Kalina, Miss Róza, Blaženka, Vít, Skřivánek, Master bricklayer)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Vaclav Zitek, Věra Soukupová, Daniela Šounová-Brouková, Leo Marian Vodička, Oldřich Spisar, Bohuslav Maršík, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act II: "What False Assumption" (Malina, Kalina, Miss Róza, Blaženka, Vít, Bonifác, Skřivánek, Master bricklayer)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Vaclav Zitek, Věra Soukupová, Daniela Šounová-Brouková, Leo Marian Vodička, Karel Průša, Oldřich Spisar, Bohuslav Maršík, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act II: "That Is the Fire of True Love!" (Miss Róza)Bedřich Smetana, Věra Soukupová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act II: "Who’s Here? It’s Me, Dear!" (Miss Róza, Bonifác)Bedřich Smetana, Věra Soukupová, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act II, Scene 8: "I’m Ready. I’ve Made Up My Mind!" (Kalina, Miss Róza, Bonifác)Bedřich Smetana, Vaclav Zitek, Věra Soukupová, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act III, Scene 1: "With Joy and Happiness We'll Help with the Hops" (Malina, Miss Róza, Blaženka, Master bricklayer)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Věra Soukupová, Daniela Šounová-Brouková, Bohuslav Maršík, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Zdeněk Košler, Milan Malý
The Secret, Act III: "The Water from the High Hills Is Falling - Look! What Is This? Unheard Of!" (Blaženka)Bedřich Smetana, Daniela Šounová-Brouková, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act III: "You Are Wrong If You Think I´ll Give Her to Vít" (Malina, Miss Róza, Master bricklayer)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Věra Soukupová, Bohuslav Maršík, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act III: "I’ll Give Vít My Faughter" (Malina, Bonifác, Skřivánek)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Karel Průša, Oldřich Spisar, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act III, Scene 2: "Auntie, May Vít Come In?" (Malina, Miss Róza, Blaženka, Vít, Bonifác, Master bricklayer, Skřivánek)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Věra Soukupová, Daniela Šounová-Brouková, Leo Marian Vodička, Karel Průša, Bohuslav Maršík, Oldřich Spisar, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act III: "Why Such a Silence? Sing, Skřivánek!" (Malina, Bonifác, Skřivánek)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Karel Průša, Oldřich Spisar, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act III: "Hah - ’Tis Him! And Alive!" (Kalina, Miss Róza)Bedřich Smetana, Vaclav Zitek, Věra Soukupová, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act III, Scene 4: "What’s Happening Here?" (Malina, Kalina, Blaženka, Vít)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Vaclav Zitek, Daniela Šounová-Brouková, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I, Scene 1: "How Dread! Behold, the Boat Is Forced on the Rocks!" (Marko)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Zdeněk Košler, Milan Malý
The Secret, Act I, Scene 2: "My Protector, Where Are We?" (Sebastian, Antonio)Bedřich Smetana, Drahomíra Drobková, Dalibor Jedlicka, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I, Scene 3: "They Have Already Landed Beneath the Rocks" (Viola, Marko, The Fisherman)Bedřich Smetana, Marie Vesela, Jaroslav Horáček, Karel Hanus, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Milan Malý, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I: "My Child! You Look So Magnanimous!" (Marko, Viola)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Marie Vesela, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
The Secret, Act I, Scene 4: "Even in the Wilderness I Am Not Alone" (Marko, Orsino)Bedřich Smetana, Jaroslav Horáček, Miroslav Svejda, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Zdeněk Košler
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
