Smetana B. The Bartered Bride opera / A.Nordenová, V.Tomš, E.Pollert, J.Gleich / PNT

CD 1

Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) - Prodaná nevěsta / The Bartered Bride

Act I

1. Scene 1: Come, then let us all be merry 7:44

2. Scene 2: If I thought you would be faithless 4:38

3. Tho' a mother is a blessing 2:04

4. If our love is strong and true 3:57

5. Scene 3: As I said before, old crony 4:40

6. Such a nice lad 4:36

7. Scene 4: Here she comes 6:28

8. Scene 5: Come now, lassies 4:14

Act II

9. Scene 1: Come comrades drain the foaming ale 4:17

10. Furiant 2:05

11. Scene 2: Ma-ma-mam said to me 2:04

12. Scene 3: I know of one lonely maid 7:02

CD 2

1. Scene 4: Just a word with you, my boy 2:58

2. Ev'ry lover's girl 3:29

3. I know a maiden 1:54

4. Say that you'll give up Marenka 3:05

5. Scene 5: How could he ever 3:28

6. Scene 6: Come here, neighbours all 3:53

Act III

7. Scene 1: With dread my wits are c-cumbered 3:59

8. Scene 2: Walk up, walk up, please, ladies and gentlemen 1:20

9. Skocna 3:51

10. Ye-ye-ye-ye-yes! That will be lovely! 3:42

11. Now my dear Sir Bruin 1:38

12. Scenes 3-5: Oh dear! I feel very sad! 9:08

13. Stay awhile here and ponder 3:52

14. Scene 6: Our dream of love 6:10

15. Scene 7: Now what a stubborn lass you are 3:44

16. Scene 8: Take comfort, my dearest, do not weep 4:48

17. Scenes 9-10: Finale. Have you reflected and made up your mind. happy pair at last we're mated 6:53

Jaroslav Gleich (tenor), Ota Horáková (soprano), Karel Hruška (tenor), Jan Konstantin (baritone), Marta Krásová (contralto), Václav Marek (tenor), Ada Nordenová (soprano), Zdeněk Otava (baritone), Marie Pixová (contralto), Emil Pollert (bass), Vladimír Tomš (tenor)

Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague National Theatre Orchestra

Otakar Ostrčil conductor

Mono studio recording, Prague, 1933.

The first complete recording of a Czech opera was this production of Smetana's beloved work, made in Prague in 1933. Otakar Ostrcil was then the director of the National Opera, and this recording highlights his leading of the tightly-woven ensemble of singers and orchestra. The remarkable standard of Czech opera singing of the period is a feature of this recording, now beautifully transferred to CD in a remastering that belies its age.

(RCD 1997)