Smetana's The Bartered Bride is mostly likely the quintessential Czech opera, it is funny- often hilarious- and charming with music that is consistently beautiful and lively in a distinctive way. This fun and charming opera gets an equally fun and charming production that is a close second best to the Lucia Popp/Siegfried Jerusalem performance which while not as authentic as this(the only one of the three DVD productions I've seen performed in Czech, with Vienna's in German and Met's in English) was perfectly done in all areas. The problems in this 1981 production are both technically, the lip synchronisation is poor being on the sloppy side and making it too obvious that it was dubbed and the camera work could have been more intimate and expansive and with less of the full-face close-ups. But the actual production itself is almost flawless apart from perhaps less of the children. The sets and costumes are beautiful and rustic complete with dynamic lighting, despite being shot in a studio somehow it feels remarkably real and Czech village life really comes to life here. The staging is traditional but never conservative, eventful but never too busy and intricate but never static, perfectly capturing the spirit of the opera narratively and musically. The dances are beautifully choreographed and very buoyantly danced, looking and sounding very Czech. The orchestral playing immerses you right in right from the opening bars of the overture all the way through to the finale in a stylish and lushly played reading. The chorus exude energy and the whole production is nimbly conducted, Smetana's music coming to sparkling life. You can't get any better with the performances, with the handsomely sung and endearing Jenik of Peter Dvorsky and glittering Marenka of Gabriella Benackova being particularly great. Their chemistry is genuinely sweet and never feels forced. Miroslav Knopp is an ardent Zanek, especially vocally, Marie Vesela does wonders with Ludmilla(a relatively small role) and Richard Novak's Kecal is hilarious. All in all, beautifully done, immensely charming and lots of fun, the production may have been wanting technically but everywhere else it's hard to find fault. 9/10 Bethany Cox
