Smetana: The Bartered Bride Vocal & Song Opera in English Opera In English

BEDRICH SMETANA

(1824-1884)

The Bartered Bride

142:30

Comic opera in three acts

Libretto by Karel Sabina, English version by Kit Hesketh-Harvey

COMPACT DISC ONE

Overture

6:28

Act I

Scene 1

'Time at last for celebration'

4:36

Chorus

'Why do you look so downcast'

3:27

Jeník, Marenka, Chorus

Scene 2

'Jeník, what will happen if Mother's right?'

1:18

Marenka, Jeník

Aria: 'Promise me that you would never'

3:34

Marenka

'Is it so unfair to want to know'

0:53

Marenka, Jeník

Duet: 'Such a mother is a blessing'

2:25

Jeník, Marenka

'Faithful love I vow to you'

3:44

Marenka, Jeník

Scene 3

'Every detail has been sorted'

5:05

Kecal, Krušina, Ludmila

10.

'Hold it! Are we not forgetting'

0:59

Krušina, Kecal, Ludmila

11.

Trio: 'Well, as I told you, he's kind and he's gentle'

3:58

Kecal, Ludmila, Krušina

Scene 4

12.

'Look! She's coming!'

4:52

Kecal, Ludmila, Krušina, Marenka

13.

'Fine then, say what you will'

1:54

Marenka, Krušina, Ludmila, Kecal

Scene 5 - Finale

14.

Introduction: Polka -

4:33

'Take your partners for the polka'

Chorus

Act II

Scene 1

15.

'So charge the glasses, lads'

5:05

Chorus, Jeník, Kecal

16.

Furiant

2:18

Scene 2

17.

'Ma. . . Ma. . . My mamma said'

2:19

Vašek

Scene 3

18.

'Don't say you're the body'

1:29

Marenka, Vašek

19.

Duet: 'I know there's a girl for you'

6:02

Marenka, Vašek

65:11

COMPACT DISC TWO

Scene 4

'I have plenty of others'

0:48

Duet: 'Just a word or two, my friend'

2:40

'Time and time again I encounter men'

3:33

'Think what it's worth, lad'

2:04

'You'll go home to Moravia?'

3:34

Kecal, Jeník

Scene 5

'Ah, my friend! Once you learn'

3:50

Kecal

Scene 6 - Finale

'Come now everyone, gather round'

4:16

Kecal, Chorus, Jeník, Krušina

Act III

Scene 1

'I'm near now to despairing'

4:01

Vašek

Scene 2

'Roll up! Roll up ladies and gentlemen!'

2:45

Ringmaster

10.

Ballet

6:02

11.

'Oh, it looks so lovely!'

4:53

Vašek, Esmeralda, Indian, Ringmaster

12.

Duettino: 'Mother doesn't matter, Mother wouldn't care!'

1:44

Esmeralda, Ringmaster

Scene 3

13.

'Oh, I don't understand it!'

0:57

Vašek, Hásek, Kecal, Mícha

14.

Quartet: 'What? Dare he? Would he? You do what?'

2:44

Háta, Mícha, Kecal, Vašek

Scene 4

15.

'No! I don't believe you!'

4:58

Marenka, Krušina, Kecal, Ludmila, Háta, Mícha

Scene 5

16.

'Oh, Vašek! Don't run away!'

1:14

Kecal, Vašek, Ludmila, Háta, Krušina, Mícha

17.

Sextet: 'Think it over, Marenka, think it through'

3:18

Ludmila, Háta, Krušina, Kecal, Mícha, Marenka

Scene 6

18.

'Oh, but the pain! The burning pain!'

1:49

19.

'We dreamed upon a moonlit night'

4:33

Marenka

Scene 7

20.

'Marenka mine, Marenka mine!'

4:31

Jeník, Marenka

Scene 8

21.

'So then, young man'

1:19

Kecal, Marenka, Jeník

22.

Trio: 'Be calm, oh my love'

3:37

Jeník, Marenka, Kecal

Scene 9 - Finale

23.

'Tell us, Marenka, it's all up to you'

1:11

Chorus, Marenka, Jeník

24.

'It's Jeník! What's he doing here?'

3:40

Háta, Mícha, Jeník, Kecal, Marenka, Ludmila, Krušina

Scene 10

25.

'Everybody get out of the way!'

3:08

Two boys, Vašek, Háta, Krušina, Ludmila, Mícha, Marenka, Jeník, Chorus

77:19

Solo: Yvonne Howard mezzo-soprano - Ludmila

Solo: Susan Gritton soprano - Marenka

Solo: Geoffrey Moses bass - Toby Mícha

Solo: Timothy Robinson tenor - Vašek

Solo: Paul Charles Clarke tenor - Jeník

Solo: Robin Leggate tenor - Ringmaster

Solo: Yvette Bonner soprano - Esmeralda

Solo: Kit Hesketh-Harvey Indian

Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra

Choral: Royal Opera Chorus

Conductor: Sir Charles Mackerras

15-21 & 23 December 2004

What makes this translated version so successful is not just the brilliant conducting of Sir Charles Mackerras and the scintilating playing of the Philharmonia Orchestra, with an exceptionally strong team of soloists working well together, but also the extra impact of the comedy made by performance in the vernacular. The echoes of G &S, with double-rhymes given a jolly Gilbertian ring, distracting in many operas for once see entirely appropriate, adding to the joy of the piece The Penguin Guide - 1000 Greatest Classical Recordings 2011-12

Throughout Mackerras secures marvellous playing from the Philharmonia Orchestra; it would be hard to imagine a more exhilarating performance of the overture' There is distinguished solo singing with Susan Gritton an impressively rounded Marenka; Paul Charles Clark is a firm-voiced Jenik and Tim Robinson duly charming as Vasek. Above all, the prevalent impression is of a strong ensemble performance enhanced by a realistic recording.

BBC Music Magazine

…a truly magnificent achievement.

Gramophone ‘Editor’s Choice’ on CHAN 3106(2) (Jenu

Mackerras and the Philharmonia do justice to the lovely score, with its snappy rhythms and delectable woodwind writing, and the sweetness of its melodies. Susan Gritton is a touching Marenka, Paul Charles Clark an ardent Jenik, Timothy Robinson a charming Vasek and Robin Leggate a commanding Ringmaster. In the central role of Kecal, the marriage broker, Peter Rose makes the most of Kit Hesketh-Harvey’s racy English translation.

The Sunday Times

How fortunate we are to have this live recording…

BBC Music Magazine on CHAN 3017(2) (Mary Stuart)

Mackerras… is perhaps the world’s wisest and most inquiring Mozartian, and here he gets playing of magical transparency from the LPO… bringing a sense of wonder to the music now rarely experienced in the theatre.

The Sunday Times ‘Classical CD of the Week’ on CHA

Outstanding in a well-balanced cast is Susan Gritton’s Marenka… To have Sir Charles Mackerras conducting is of course a great bonus. He it is who gives the whole performance its character… there is certainly plenty to enjoy and admire in the new set.

International Record Review

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