Composer

:

Bedrich Smetana

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1873 - 1877

Publication Date

:

1914

First Performance

:

Mar 27, 1874

Average_duration

:

124:43

Movement_count

:

20

Movement ....

"Dve vdovy" (Two Widows) is an opera composed by Bedrich Smetana, a Czech composer, in 1874. The libretto was written by Emanuel Züngel, a German writer, and was translated into Czech by Smetana's friend, Eliska Krasnohorska. The opera premiered on December 27, 1874, at the National Theatre in Prague. The plot of "Dve vdovy" revolves around two widows, Karolina and Anežka, who are both in love with the same man, Ladislav. Ladislav, however, is in love with Karolina and proposes to her. Anežka, heartbroken, decides to leave town and become a nun. Meanwhile, Karolina's former lover, Baron Zeta, tries to win her back, but she rejects him. In the end, Ladislav and Karolina get married, and Anežka returns to town to bless their union. The opera is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement is characterized by lively dance music, reflecting the festive atmosphere of the town. The second movement is more introspective, with a focus on the emotions of the characters. The third movement is a joyful celebration of the wedding of Ladislav and Karolina. One of the notable characteristics of "Dve vdovy" is its use of folk music. Smetana was known for incorporating Czech folk music into his compositions, and "Dve vdovy" is no exception. The opera features several folk dances, including a polka and a furiant, which add to the festive atmosphere of the first movement. Another characteristic of the opera is its use of humor. The characters are portrayed in a lighthearted manner, and there are several comedic moments throughout the opera. For example, in one scene, Baron Zeta tries to impress Karolina by reciting poetry, but he is interrupted by a group of drunken revelers. Overall, "Dve vdovy" is a charming and lighthearted opera that showcases Smetana's skill at incorporating folk music into his compositions. Its premiere was well-received, and it remains a popular work in the Czech opera repertoire.

More....