Dive into the rich tapestry of Czech opera with Bedřich Smetana's "The Kiss, JB 1:104," a captivating album that showcases the composer's mastery of the genre. Released on July 26, 2024, this 1-hour and 52-minute opus is a testament to Smetana's enduring legacy, performed by the esteemed Brno Janáček Opera Orchestra under the direction of František Vajnar.
This album is a comprehensive exploration of Smetana's operatic work, featuring 29 meticulously crafted tracks that bring the opera's dramatic narrative to life. From the stirring overtures to the intricate dialogues between characters, each track is a window into the world of "The Kiss," offering a deep dive into the composer's musical genius.
The album begins with the "Overture," setting the stage for the unfolding drama. As the scenes progress, listeners are treated to a symphony of voices and instruments, each playing a crucial role in the story. The performances are nothing short of extraordinary, with each character's voice beautifully captured, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in the opera's rich tapestry.
"The Kiss, JB 1:104" is not just an album; it's an experience. The meticulous attention to detail in the performances and the high-quality recording ensure that every nuance of Smetana's composition is brought to the forefront. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a profound appreciation for the artistry of Bedřich Smetana.
The album is available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, and Deezer, making it accessible to a global audience. For those who prefer a physical copy, it is also available on the SUPRAPHON label. This release is a celebration of Smetana's enduring influence and a tribute to his timeless compositions.
2024 SUPRAPHON a.s.2024 SUPRAPHON a.s.
Tracks
The Kiss, JB 1:104: "Overture"Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 1: "Vendulka! Father! Listen! Where Are You?" (Father Paloucký, Vendulka, Martinka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 2: "They´re Coming" (Father Paloucký, Vendulka, Martinka, Barče)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova, Božena Effenberková
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 3: "Good Evening! You Act Like You’re Drunk" (Father Paloucký, Lukáš, Tomeš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I: "Barče, Quickly, Something for Our Guests!" (Father Paloucký, Lukáš, Tomeš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 4: "My Dearest! You Are Mine! ... We Belong to Each Other?" (Vendulka, Lukáš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik, Eliška Krásnohorská
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I: "No! Leave Me Be!" (Father Paloucký, Vendulka, Lukáš, Tomeš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 5: "Never, Never in My Sorrow" (Vendulka, Lukáš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 5: "No, I Say, Leave Me Be!" (Vendulka, Lukáš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 6: "Just as I Said, So Has It Happened!" (Father Paloucký)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička, Eliška Krásnohorská
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I: "Was He Right When He Warned Me?" (Vendulka, Lukáš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 7: "Where´s He Going? ... As if He Forgot About That Lovely Time" (Vendulka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova, Eliška Krásnohorská
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I: "What Happened? ... I’m an Old Woman, My Dear Girl" (Vendulka, Martinka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 7: "And You, My Baby - Sleep Now, My Angel - A Little Snow White Dove Was Flying" (Vendulka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 8: "What a Disgrace!" (Vendulka, Lukáš, Barče)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička, Božena Effenberková
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act I, Scene 9: "You Should Be Ashamed! Even a Boy Would Be Ashamed to Misbehave Like This!" (Vendulka, Lukáš, Tomeš, Barče)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Božena Effenberková, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II: "Overture II"Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 1: "Go on!" (Matouš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Karel Hanus, František Vajnar, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 2: "Woe Is Me! ... If I Knew How to Erase My Guilt" (Lukáš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Leo Marian Vodička
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 3: "What a Chase He Led Me! He Vanished like a Ghost! Just Ask for It, You Fool" (Lukáš, Tomeš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 4: "Ha, ha, Lukáš, You Have Such Troubles With Your Love!" (Matouš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Karel Hanus, František Vajnar, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 5: "But There Are Two People!" (Vendulka, Martinka, Matouš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Karel Hanus, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 5: "Oh, How Could I Believe so Foolishly" (Vendulka, Martinka, Matouš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Karel Hanus, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 6: "Vendulka, Dearie, How Do You Like" (Vendulka, Martinka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova, Zdeněk Jankovský, Eliška Krásnohorská
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 6: "Good Morning, Sir" (Martinka, A Frontier Guard, Vendulka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova, Zdeněk Jankovský
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 6: "He Showed You Well What Is Hidden in a Man" (Vendulka, Martinka)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Libuse Marova
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 7: "Ah! I Cannot Breathe for Running… Announce, Little Bird, a Good Morning!" (Barče)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, František Vajnar, Božena Effenberková
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 8: "Here Is Martinka’s Abode" (Father Paloucký, Lukáš, Matouš, Barče, Tomeš)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, Karel Hanus, František Vajnar, Leo Marian Vodička, Vaclav Zitek, Božena Effenberková, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
The Kiss, JB 1:104, Act II, Scene 9: "It’s Him! It’s Her!" (Father Paloucký, Vendulka, Tomeš, Martinka, Matouš, Barče)Bedřich Smetana, Brno Janácek Opera Orchestra, Eduard Haken, Karel Hanus, František Vajnar, Eva Děpoltová, Vaclav Zitek, Libuse Marova, Božena Effenberková, Brno Janáček Opera Chorus, Josef Pancik
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.