Experience the grandeur of Bedřich Smetana's masterful opera "Libuše, JB 1:102" in this live recording, capturing the essence of a live performance with all its raw energy and authenticity. This album, released on July 12, 2024, by SUPRAPHON a.s., offers a comprehensive journey through Smetana's epic composition, spanning nearly two and a half hours of captivating classical music.
"Libuše" is a monumental work, consisting of three acts and a rich orchestration that brings to life the legendary Czech princess Libuše and her prophecies. The opera, based on a libretto by Josef Wenzig, is a cornerstone of Czech national heritage and a testament to Smetana's genius. This live recording features a stellar cast of vocalists and the Prague National Theatre Orchestra, led by conductor Oliver von Dohnanyi, delivering a performance that is both powerful and nuanced.
The album includes the iconic "Overture" and a full array of arias and ensemble pieces that showcase the depth and breadth of Smetana's compositional skills. From the stirring "You, Krok’s Illustrious Daughter" to the triumphant "Libuše’s Prophecy," each track is a testament to the opera's enduring appeal and the timeless beauty of its music.
Whether you are a seasoned fan of classical opera or a newcomer to the genre, this live recording of "Libuše, JB 1:102" offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Smetana's musical legacy. The album's high-quality production and dynamic performances make it a standout addition to any classical music collection.
2024 SUPRAPHON a.s.2024 SUPRAPHON a.s.
Tracks
Libuše, JB 1:102: "Overture" - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I, Scene 1: "You, Krok’s Illustrious Daughter" (Libuše, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Eva Děpoltová
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I: "Eternal Gods, Ye That Dwell Above the Clouds" (Libuše, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Eva Děpoltová, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I: "I Cannot Join Them!" (Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Eva Děpoltová
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I, Scene 2: "Alas That Between Sons Such" (Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Radovan) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Antonín Švorc, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I, Scene 3: "The Snake Is Not Here" (Chrudoš) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Antonín Švorc
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I: "You Elders, Chieftains!" (Libuše) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Prague National Theatre Orchestra
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I: "I Am the Elder Son" (Libuše, Chrudoš, Šťáhlav) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Antonín Švorc
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I: "Both the Kinsmen, Brothers Klenovici" (Libuše, Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Radovan) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Antonín Švorc, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act I: "You Yourselves Have Heard How He Insulted Me" (Libuše, Radovan) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II, Scene 1: "Water the Horses Now and Wait for Me!" (Lutobor, Krasava) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "My Father, Before You Proclaim Your Severe Judgment" (Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "Like a Dark Cloud Chrudoš Rushed Through the Burg’s Gates" (Lutobor) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Karel Průša
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II, Scene 2: "My Uncle Bid Me to My Father’s Grave" (Chrudoš, Krasava) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "With Krasava He’s Reconciled!" (Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II, Scene 3: "Heya! Heya! Without Rest Onward" (Four Harvesters) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Jana Jonasova, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Jiřina Marková, Marie Vesela, Miroslav Svejda
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "The Sun Is Blazing" (Přemysl) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "Nature Might Will Reward Our Labours" (Přemysl, Four Harvesters) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Jana Jonasova, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Jiřina Marková, Marie Vesela, Miroslav Svejda
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II, Scene 4: "The Work Is Finished" (Přemysl) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III, Scene 5: "But I Shall Remain Here… O, Ye Lime-Trees" (Přemysl) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II, Scene 4, 5: "What Is This Noise?… From Libuše We Bring You Greetings" (Přemysl, Radovan) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "Peace Be With You, My Father’s Quiet Gardens" (Přemysl) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act II: "In My Mind to You!" (Přemysl, Radovan) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III, Scene 1: "Peace Is Made Again Between Two Brothers" (Libuše, Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III, Scene 2: "He Comes! He Still Remains Hidden…" (Libuše, Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III, Scene 3: "Welcome to Us" (Libuše) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Prague National Theatre Chorus, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III, Scene 4: "Did She Not Say That All the Power…" (Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Krasava) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Leo Marian Vodička, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III, Scene 5: "Ceremonial Procession" - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Prague National Theatre Orchestra
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III: "Hail, Stronghold Vyšehrad… O Gods, Ye, Who Are Surrounded by Glory" (Libuše, Přemysl, Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Radovan, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III: "I Have Learned About Two Brothers‘ Cruel Strife" (Libuše, Přemysl, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Radovan, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Libuše, JB 1:102, Act III: "Libuše’s Prophecy: O Gods Almighty" (Libuše, Přemysl, Chrudoš, Šťáhlav, Lutobor, Radovan, Krasava, Radmila) - LiveBedřich Smetana, Zdeněk Košler, Gabriela Beňačková, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Věra Soukupová, Antonín Švorc, Eva Děpoltová, Karel Průša, Prague National Theatre Chorus, René Tuček, Milan Malý
Bedřich Smetana, born on March 2, 1824, in Litomyšl, is celebrated as the founder of modern Czech national music. This influential composer, conductor, and music educator left an indelible mark on the romantic era and inspired generations of Czech composers. Smetana's prolific career includes a rich tapestry of operas, symphonic poems, and chamber music, with his masterpiece "Má vlast" (My Homeland) standing out as a quintessential work that captures the spirit of his homeland. His notable operas, such as "Prodaná nevěsta" (The Bartered Bride) and "Libuše," are staples of the classical repertoire. Despite facing personal tragedies, including progressive deafness, Smetana's unwavering dedication to his art and his role as a cultural organizer and critic solidified his legacy as a pillar of Czech music. His contributions continue to resonate, making him one of the most renowned Czech composers worldwide.
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Bedřich Smetana
