BaL 27.05.23 - Smetana: The Bartered Bride

[makropulos]

Yes indeed - a discerning selection, illuminating discussion and wise recommendation by Mr Simeone. It was particularly thoughtful of him to bring in the vital (and very good) English and German classic recordings.

My only question would be why the 1947 Ancerl radio relay (well recorded for its day, with an incomparable cast including Blachut, Cervinkova and Kalas in his most spontaneous form) was seemingly absent from consideration - unless I missed a trick. Perhaps it is not currently to be had on CD, though it is certainly around as a download and for streaming. It is my own favourite, by a whisker from Chalabala and Vogel. The resonant recording for Kosler rather gets in the way, for me; and admirable though her singing is, I'm not a fully-paid-up member of the Benacková appreciation society.

Thanks for the nice comments. Re Ančerl, that's a very good question. I have it here and was originally planning to illustrate it, but for two reasons: a) I think it's fairly hard to find at the moment; and b) I was already using Ostrčil and Vogel, and ended up thinking that two historic versions was probably going to be enough. But I strongly agree with you –it's got an amazing cast and is superbly conducted.

[Bryn]

Thanks for the nice comments. Re Ančerl, that's a very good question. I have it here and was originally planning to illustrate it, but for two reasons: a) I think it's fairly hard to find at the moment; and b) I was already using Ostrčil and Vogel, and ended up thinking that two historic versions was probably going to be enough. But I strongly agree with you –it's got an amazing cast and is superbly conducted.

I see that the Ančerl can be losslessly streamed or downloaded from QOBUZ but, strangely, they list it as being in stereo. As Lunchtime O'Booze might say, "Shome mistake, surely?".

[makropulos]

I see that the Ančerl can be losslessly streamed or downloaded from QOBUZ but, strangely, they list it as being in stereo. As Lunchtime O'Booze might say, "Shome mistake, surely?".

Ha! We should be so lucky! But I'm glad it's available on QOBUZ as it's a smashing performance.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I’m surprised too. I played the oboe in a student performance of the work in 1973. It was a wonderful experience, except that my instrument was stolen (and never recovered) the day after the final performance. Since then, I’ve never been inclined to watch/listen to the opera again. Very sad, but true.

My problem with it is the stuttering character as I don’t find stuttering / stammering in the slightest bit amusing.

[Barbirollians]

Thanks for the nice comments. Re Ančerl, that's a very good question. I have it here and was originally planning to illustrate it, but for two reasons: a) I think it's fairly hard to find at the moment; and b) I was already using Ostrčil and Vogel, and ended up thinking that two historic versions was probably going to be enough. But I strongly agree with you –it's got an amazing cast and is superbly conducted.

Catching up with this now but Presto seem to deny that the winner is available.

[Bryn]

Catching up with this now but Presto seem to deny that the winner is available.

The general situation does appear to be that it is only available on CD in used condition or, if new, at a very inflated price, However, lossless streaming or downloads are easy enough to find.

[Barbirollians]

Isn’t that the Kosler ? Strangely, Andrew McGregor announced the winner as available on 2CDs .

[Bryn]

Isn’t that the Kosler ? Strangely, Andrew McGregor announced the winner as available on 2CDs .

Looks like you are right, though the link comes from the Amazon Chabala CD listing at https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=smetana...ref=nb_sb_noss

QOBUZ has the lossless download for £8.29 at https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/sm.../og7957r9rwacc (no booklet pdf).

[Pulcinella]

Isn’t that the Kosler ? Strangely, Andrew McGregor announced the winner as available on 2CDs .

Here's the listing on the Record review site (some blank lines removed), with some links that might help.

10.30am – Building a Library: Nigel Simeone on Smetana’s The Bartered Bride

Recommended recording:

Drahomíra Tikalová (soprano)
Ivo Žídek (tenor)
Eduard Haken (bass)
Prague National Theatre Chorus and Orchestra
Zdeněk Chalabala (conductor)

Supraphon SU 0040-2 (2CD and Digital Download)

https://www.supraphon.com/album/969-smetana-the-bartered-bride-opera-in-3-acts

Also recommended:

Gabriela Beňačková (soprano)
Peter Dvorský (tenor)
Richard Novák (bass)
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Zdeněk Košler (conductor)

Supraphon SU 3707-2 (2CDs and Digital Download)

https://www.supraphon.com/album/3-smetana-the-bartered-bride-opera-in-3-acts

Historic choice (1952,mono):

Milada Musilová (soprano)
Ivo Žídek (tenor)
Karel Kalaš (bass)
Prague National Theatre Chorus and Orchestra
Jaroslav Vogel (conductor)

Supraphon SU 3980-2 (2CDs and Digital Download)

https://www.supraphon.com/album/45-smetana-the-bartered-bride-opera-in-3-acts

English version:

Susan Gritton (soprano)
Paul Charles Clarke (tenor)
Peter Rose (bass)
Royal Opera Chorus
Philharmonia Orchestra
Charles Mackerras

Chandos CHAN 3128(2) (2CDs)

https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%203128

German version:

Pilar Lorengar (soprano)
Fritz Wunderlich (tenor)
Gottlob Frick (bass)
RIAS Chamber Choir
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra
Rudolph Kempe (conductor)

EMI/Warner 381872-2

[Master Jacques]

My problem with it is the stuttering character as I don’t find stuttering / stammering in the slightest bit amusing.

I am with you. But the reason the Vasek/Marenka duet is (almost) my favourite number in the work, is the beautiful way Smetana renders his stuttering and stammering sympathetic, and incorporates it so naturally into his music. It always brings tears to my eyes, and goes as far beyond "amusing" (in my book!) as anything in Billy Budd. That ability to see things from Vasek's point of view - he doesn't see himself as a fool - is an example of why Smetana is one of the greatest musical dramatists.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I am with you. But the reason the Vasek/Marenka duet is (almost) my favourite number in the work, is the beautiful way Smetana renders his stuttering and stammering sympathetic, and incorporates it so naturally into his music. It always brings tears to my eyes, and goes as far beyond "amusing" (in my book!) as anything in Billy Budd. That ability to see things from Vasek's point of view - he doesn't see himself as a fool - is an example of why Smetana is one of the greatest musical dramatists.

I think the difference is that stuttering character is partly there for laughs at least initially , whereas Billy is much more of a profound exploration of this much misunderstood disability. As well as being a metaphor it sort of spells his doom doesn’t it ? I’m not some sort of wokeist prude so I don’t take issue with the stuttering lawyer cliche in Opera Buffa (e.g. Despina in Cosi ) not least because so many great lawyers have had a stammer like Cicero.

[makropulos]

Catching up with this now but Presto seem to deny that the winner is available.

It's curious that Presto doesn't list this. It is readily (and instantly) available as a download (MP3 or FLAC) from this link on Supraphon's own website, for a total outlay of less than £10. This should take you straight to it:

https://www.supraphonline.cz/album/969-smetana-prodana-nevesta-opera-o-3-dejstvich-komplet?trackId=13681

However, I don't think the CD edition of that performance is available at the moment.

[Master Jacques]

I think the difference is that stuttering character is partly there for laughs at least initially , whereas Billy is much more of a profound exploration of this much misunderstood disability. As well as being a metaphor it sort of spells his doom doesn’t it ? I’m not some sort of wokeist prude so I don’t take issue with the stuttering lawyer cliche in Opera Buffa (e.g. Despina in Cosi ) not least because so many great lawyers have had a stammer like Cicero.

Like all great dramatists, Smetana deals in ambiguities. We may suspect that Vasek is there "for laughs" initially (though I should love to have seen what Peter Pears did with his little song at Covent Garden in the 1940s) but by the time we get to the duet our sympathies are thoroughly engaged. We like clever Marenka, but can equally feel she's being unnecessary unkind - even cruel - in her treatment of the defenceless boy.

The same thing operates in reverse with his half-brother, Jenik, gradually rendered more understandable but less sympathetic as the plot proceeds. Smetana uses that stutter quite brilliantly, for dramatic purposes. And like all good comedy, the opera has to played with deep seriousness if it is to work its magic. Vasek finally finding his true liberation by getting dressed up as a bear and chasing people is the icing on a very extraordinary cake.

And just think - this wonderful piece is nowhere near being Smetana's best opera!

[Ein Heldenleben]

Like all great dramatists, Smetana deals in ambiguities. We may suspect that Vasek is there "for laughs" initially (though I should love to have seen what Peter Pears did with his little song at Covent Garden in the 1940s) but by the time we get to the duet our sympathies are thoroughly engaged. We like clever Marenka, but can equally feel she's being unnecessary unkind - even cruel - in her treatment of the defenceless boy.

The same thing operates in reverse with his half-brother, Jenik, gradually rendered more understandable but less sympathetic as the plot proceeds. Smetana uses that stutter quite brilliantly, for dramatic purposes. And like all good comedy, the opera has to played with deep seriousness if it is to work its magic. Vasek finally finding his true liberation by getting dressed up as a bear and chasing people is the icing on a very extraordinary cake.

And just think - this wonderful piece is nowhere near being Smetana's best opera!

Never seen any of the others sadly .I am a great admirer of his music and think his G minor Piano Trio one of the finest examples of a notoriously tricky genre - an absolute masterpiece.

[Master Jacques]

Thanks Makropulos, for clarifying the current availabilities of the Ancerl performance. I well understand your decision, in not wanting to over-freight BaL with those "historical" Czech recordings. The problem is, that their marvellous quality has worked against the need to create new Bartered Brides on record since!