The Bartered Bride

Overview

Coming to New Zealand this September is the well-known and historically significant Czech opera, The Bartered Bride. It is a comic look at Bohemian life that tells the story of a true love which prevails, despite the best efforts of ambitious parents and a scheming marriage broker.

It's 1972 and in a small Czech village Marenka is distraught because she is being forced to marry stuttering Vašek, instead of her heart's desire, the mysterious Jeník. Marenka's father strikes a deal to rid himself of a large debt, promising his daughter's hand in marriage to wealthy Micha's son. Marriage broker, Kecal, is determined to get his share and tries to scare off Jeník, while Marenka uses her feminine wiles to confuse poor Vašek. Can Marenka free herself from this awful fate? Will Jeník find a way to make Marenka his own by taking matters into his own hands?

First performed nearly 150 years ago, Smetana's The Bartered Bride was the realisation of his dream to create a Czech national opera. Steeped in tradition, this opera is a lively comedy characterised by its jubilant music. Smetana made use of traditional Bohemian dance forms such as the polka and furiant, to create a folk-inspired score which is quintessentially Czech in spirit.

Brought to you by Opera North, The Bartered Bride is sung in English and features the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus, along with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. It has been named "one of the most vivaciously animated productions in years" by The Guardian, UK and is certain to be one of the most entertaining theatrical events of 2012.