Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Bedřich Smetana's operatic masterpiece, "The Two Widows, JB 1:108," a captivating journey through love, deception, and redemption. This two-act opera, composed with Smetana's signature brilliance, offers a delightful blend of humor, drama, and romance, making it a timeless classic in the world of classical music.
The album, released on July 19, 2024, under the prestigious SUPRAPHON a.s. label, presents a comprehensive recording of the opera, spanning a total duration of 2 hours and 5 minutes. The tracklist meticulously follows the opera's structure, from the opening overture to the final polka dance, providing an authentic and immersive experience.
Smetana's intricate compositions and the engaging storyline, centered around the widows Karolina and Anežka, promise an enchanting exploration of human emotions and relationships. The opera's characters, brought to life through Smetana's evocative music, navigate a web of misunderstandings, unrequited love, and eventual reconciliation, culminating in a satisfying and heartwarming resolution.
Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "The Two Widows, JB 1:108" offers a compelling introduction to Smetana's genius. The album is a testament to the composer's ability to weave intricate narratives through music, making it a valuable addition to any classical music collection.
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
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