Smetana's The Bartered Bride

Smetana's The Bartered Bride

About the show

One bride. Two suitors.

Following sold out performances last year Irish National Opera is delighted to tour its critically acclaimed production, The Bartered Bride to a host of new venues across Ireland.

Set in a busy Czech village bound by tradition and tangled in secrets, The Bartered Bride is a fast-paced comic opera where two young lovers attempt to rewrite the rules. To be together, they need to outwit a meddling matchmaker, sidestep an unwanted marriage contract and survive the arrival of a traveling circus.

At the heart of the story is Irish soprano Amy Ní Fhearraigh as Mařenka, a spirited young woman determined to marry for love but promised to a wealthy landowner’s son. Russian-Ukrainian tenor Egor Zhuravskii sings her devoted, but not entirely honest lover, Jeník.

Smetana’s melodic score bursts with infectious folk rhythms, dazzling duets and the vibrant energy of its famous overture and dances. INO’s energetic production brings a fresh musical perspective, with conductor Richard Peirson leading his own dynamic new arrangement of Smetana’s beloved score.

In partnership with Laidlaw Opera Trust.

‘Amy Ní Fhearraigh shines vocally and dramatically ... Molloy’s instinctive comic presence and timing ensure that the opera’s funniest role anchors the production in an infectious humour.’

★★★★ The Irish Times

‘Peirson’s arrangement...had its own nimble energy, lending scenes a chamber-like directness and almost cabaret immediacy ... a production that trusts wit, warmth and imagination to carry the day... and they did so, delightfully.’

★★★★ Bachtrack

‘Soprano Amy Ní Fhearraigh has all the natural acting abilities for the role of Mařenka and her powerful, dramatic voice was excellent.’

The Journal of Music

‘vocal power of Ní Fhearraigh and Zhuravskii is awesome...an overwhelming treat... an exquisite experience.’

The Westmeath Examiner

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