Smetana: Overture to ``The Bartered Bride''

Smetana: Overture to ``The Bartered Bride''
Smetana: Overture to ``The Bartered Bride''
Bedrich Smetana, 1824-1884. Overture to ``The Bartered Bride'' (``Prodaná Nevesta''). The Bohemian composer Bedrich Smetana is considered the father of Czech opera, a rather notable accomplishment given that Czech was not his first language. Born under Hapsburg rule, the boy was schooled first in German, and only later in life was he able to study his hereditary tongue. In fact, when he was working on his second opera, , he used a German translation of the text as an aid in composition.

The Bartered Bride, which might more aptly be titled The Sold Bride, relates a comic tale of love and trickery. In brief, Marenka is in love with Jenik, but her parents plan to wed her to the son of Micha, a local landlord. Unknown to all but himself, Jenik is Micha's long-lost son. Jenik allows the marriage broker to buy him off for a high price, but exacts a condition that Marenka be wed to ``The eldest son of Micha.'' The broker agrees, thinking that Micha has only one son, but all ends happily when Jenik's true heritage is revealed.

Overtures to operas are usually written almost as afterthoughts, but Smetana was so taken with the story that he wrote the lively prelude before beginning any other work on the opera. The result was a piece that stands alone beautifully, yet still serves as a wonderful introduction to the work that made Smetana famous.

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