THE BARTERED BRIDE – SMETANA
Presented on Nov 29, Dec 1, 3, 9 at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin by soloists from Czech National Theatre Prague as part of the Dublin Grand Opera Society’s Winter Season
Daniela Sounova – Marenka
Bohumil Cerny – Jeník
Jaroslav Horacek – Kecal
Alfred Hampel – Vašek
William Young – Krušina
Mary Sheridan – Ludmilla
Ruth Maher – Háta
Brendan Keyes – Mícha
Terry Reid – Esmeralda
Patrick Ring – Circus Master
Albert Rosen – Conductor
Jaroslav Horacek – Producer
Listen to this production here:
Undeniably the biggest success of the season was the revival of “The Bartered Bride” and it must have been a source of utmost satisfaction to everyone in the society that the Irish singers in the cast acquitted themselves so well. William Young says much of the inspiration came from director Jaroslav Horacek and conductor Albert Rosen. It was their understanding of Smetana’s work that made the difference between a good and an outstanding production. Mary Sheridan, who sang Ludmila, agreed and felt that musically the whole thing went with a sparkle. Brendan Cavanagh added yet another fine comprimario role – that of the ringmaster – to his impressive collection. To Ruth Maher, cast as Hata, Albert Rosen always seemed to bring something extra to his conducting of Slav or Russian operas.
(Extracted from “Love and Music: The Glorious History of the Dublin Grand Opera Society” by Gus Smith, 1998)
Opera in Ireland 