Details

Considered a lesser-known gem of the operatic repertoire, Smetana's Dve vdovy ('The Two Widows') is set in a Bohemian country estate in which the contrasting personalities of recently widowed cousins Karolina and Anezka are tested by the attentions of gentleman-farmer Ladislav. Smetana's expert theatrical craftsmanship seamlessly blends Czech dances and choruses with beautiful cavatina-like solos. With the humane warmth of it's chamber-like comedy and deftly transparent orchestration, Smetana created a style of conversational opera in The Two Widows that was much admired by Richard Strauss.

Tracklist:

1. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Overture
2. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act I. Scene 1: Jitro krsn nebe jasn kyne nm (A lovely morning, clear skies greet us)
3. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act I. Scene 2: Recitative: Dobr jitro, drah sestrenice! (Good morning, dear cousin!)
4. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act I. Scene 2: Samostatne vldnu j (I rule independently)
5. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act I. Scene 2: Recitative: Nuze, co mm tedy cinit as? (Well then, what would you have me do?)
6. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act I. Scene 3: Dobr jitro, milostiv pan! (Good morning, gracious lady!)
7. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act I. Scene 3: Recitative: Jedinou to jeho ctnost (His only redeeming grace is.) - Scene 4: Recita
8. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act I. Scene 5: Dlouho-li zde budu bloudit (Will I wander here long)
9. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act I. Scene 6: Recitative: V pordku vse, milostpan! (Everything is in order, gracious lady!)
10. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act I. Scene 7: Vezen prede dvermi tam! (The prisoner is at the door!)
11. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act I. Finale: Mumlale, hle, tu vs mme (Look, Mumlal, we've got you here)
12. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Prelude
13. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 1: Song: Kdyz zavt mj (When May comes calling)
14. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 1: Recitative: Nechati zde muze toho (Fine idea keeping that man here)
15. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 2: Nen pochybnosti vce (There is no more doubt)
16. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 3: Bsen! - Recitative: Dlouho-li pak chcete prchati (A poem! - Do you want to keep fl
17. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 4: Recitative: Stujte, pane! Jakze? (Halt, sir! What?)
18. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 5: Odchzej spolu k radosti! (They are leaving together to have fun!)
19. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 6: Recitative: Dobre! Vyborne! (Fine! Wonderful!)
20. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 6: Song: Necht cokoliv mne zlob v svete (When anything at all bothers me)
21. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 6: Recitative: Milovn hodny prteli (My beloved, worthy friend)
22. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 7: Co to, holka (What's this, girl?)
23. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 8: Recitative: Zabruc, Mumlale, jim medvedem (Mumlal, go and grumble like a bear)
24. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 9: Ha! Jak to, ach, prekvapen! (Ah, what a surprise)
25. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Scene 9: Recitative: Milostiv! (Gracious lady) - Finale: Recitative: Oznamuji slusne medved
26. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Finale: Mus ns mt Pn Buh rd (The Lord God must love us)
27. Dve vdovy (The Two Widows)~Act II. Finale: Polka: Moderato - Mus ns mt Pn Buh rd (The Lord God must love us)

UPC: 730099060974
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 2.13.26
Format: CD