Experience Bedřich Smetana's enduring Czech opera, 'The Bartered Bride', a masterwork of humor and irony. This production at the National Theatre, directed by Alice Nellis, offers a unique perspective on the famous tale of Mařenka and Jeník. It also playfully explores the complex journey of bringing an opera to the stage, from rehearsals to the final merry performance. Discover the rich blend of tradition and modern interpretation.
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This production of 'The Bartered Bride,' a cornerstone of Czech opera, humorously subverts expectations of national opera with its wit and irony. The current staging by Alice Nellis explores both the story of Mařenka and Jeník and the process of staging an opera itself.
For over 150 years, 'The Bartered Bride' has been a premier Czech opera, embodying a 'Czech DNA' of popularity that transcends time. Initially an audacious experiment by Bedřich Smetana and librettist Karel Sabina, it masterfully satirized expectations of a purely idyllic national opera. The work's enduring appeal lies in its blend of humor, irony, and tenderness, making it beloved in the best sense of the word 'national'. The National Theatre has consistently featured 'The Bartered Bride' in its repertoire, with the current 21st production helmed by film and stage director Alice Nellis. This interpretation not only pokes fun at historical village life but also at the very efforts to restage this 'opera of operas.' The production delves into the backstage world of opera creation, from rehearsals to the director's pursuit of modernity, ultimately finding the opera's merry, moving, and visually beautiful form.
Tickets are available for upcoming performances. Visitors are directed to the National Theatre's official website for booking details. The opera is performed in Czech with surtitles in Czech and English. Performances typically last approximately 3 hours, including one 20-minute intermission.
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