The Bartered Bride (Prodana Nevesta) 1981

The Bartered Bride

1981 Czech
Supraphon; 138 minutes
Featuring Gabriela Benackova and Peter Dvorsky

I know it has been ages since I posted on here. Time just seems to have been flying! For this post, I decided to feature the 1981 Czech TV film of Smetana's "Prodana Nevesta", which features Gabriela Benackova and Peter Dvorsky in the starring roles of Marenka and Jenik. This is a filmed-for-TV movie, traditional staging an costumes. The soundtrack was prerecorded and the sets are full studio sets (no orchestra is seen). If you are not a fan of Smetana, "The Bartered Bride", and/or the stars, then this would probably drag on a bit. It is very stagy, and and Smetana does tend to repeat lines in this opera. However, the singing is simply fantastic! Gabriela Benackova and Peter Dvorsky are hailed as two of the leading Czech opera interpreters and this certainly shows why. There arias and duet in Act 1 are simply gorgeous. Their acting is subtle, somewhat stage-like, but very good. They never make you feel like they are not the characters that they are playing. The supporting cast is very good and well sung. The costumes are colourful and very traditional. The cinematography is very stiff feeling and adds to the stagy look. However, Gabriela Benackova and Peter Dvorsky make this worth viewing.

Fidelio (1991) with Gabriela Benackova

For my first review, I may as well start with the best. This is one of my very favorite opera recordings!

Fidelio
1991 Royal Opera House, Covent Garden performance
featuring Gabriela Benackova and Josef Protschka
124 Minutes; Image Entertainment DVD (also available on VHS)

When you combine Beethoven’s superb music with the remarkable voice of Gabriela Benackova, there’s only one thing wrong: it’s over too soon. In my opinion, this is simply the BEST “Fidelio” out there, film or recording. Gabriela Benackova shines as Leonore. Her “Abscheulicher!” is so thrilling that it’s over before you know it. Monte Pederson’s “Ha welch ein augenblick” and Marie McLaughlin’s “O war ich schon” are only a couple of the highlights of this performance.
Definitely worth the time!



Here is a sample video from this film.