Bedrich Smetana

The Bartered Bride

Bedrich Smetana's The Bartered Bride dates from the happiest, most musically fulfilling period in the composer's life, and draws inspiration from Czech folk music. The action takes place to the backdrop of a visiting circus. Marenka and Jenik's love for each other seems doomed as Marenka's father has brokered her in marriage to Vasek. Marenka meets Vasek - who doesn't realize who she is - and dissuades him from the marriage; meanwhile, the marriage broker Kecal persuades Jenik to accept marriage to a wealthy girl; he agrees on condition that Marenka marry the son of Tobias Micha. Vasek forsakes the arranged marriage in pursuit of a circus dancer; Marenka remains scornful of Jenik's seeming betrayal. Jenik's plan becomes clear in the final scene, when he is revealed to be Micha's long-lost elder son. All of the mismatched couples are sorted out and a family restored in a joyous finale.

This is the Schirmer Edition of the Vocal Score with English text by Marian Farquhar.