OPERA SEARCH
The Bartered Bride
(Prodana nevesta / Die verkaufte Braut) (1863-66, rev.1870)Libretto by Karel Sabina; German adaptation by Max Kalbeck; new German translation by Walter Felsenstein (Cz,E,G)
3S,M,4T,Bar,2B,children; chorus; ballet;
2.picc.2.2.2-4.2.3.0-timp-perc:TD/BD/tgl/cyms-strings;
On-stage: picc-tpt-perc:SD/BD/cyms
Abbreviations (PDF)
Boosey & Hawkes
National Theatre, Prague
Company: Unknown
Berlin
Company: Unknown
| KRUSCHINA, a peasant | Character Baritone |
| KATHINKA, his wife | Lyric Soprano |
| MARIE, their daughter | Dramatic Soprano |
| MICHA, landowner | Bass |
| AGNES, his wife | Mezzo Soprano |
| WENZEL, their son | Buffo Tenor |
| HANS, Micha's son from his first marriage | Lyric Tenor |
| KEZAL, marriage broker | Bass |
| SPRINGER, director of a group of wandering artists | Character Tenor |
| ESMERALDA, dancer | Soubrette Soprano |
| MUFF, a comedian disguised as a Red Indian | Tenor |
| TWO BOYS | speaking roles |
| Villagers, Equestrians |
A large village in Bohemia in the middle of the 19th century
Hans consoles the sad Marie Kruschina, who is supposed to marry Wenzel, the son of the rich landowner Micha, against her will. Hans vows fidelity to her, but does not tell her that he is Micha's son from his first marriage and that he went away because of his evil stepmother Agnes years ago. Defiantly Marie vows before her parents and the marriage broker Kezal, who has brought about the liaison, that she will not accept anybody as her husband except Hans. Kezal, who fears for his share of the dowry, tries to persuade Hans to abandon Marie. Hans agrees against an indemnity of 300 guldens and under the condition that Marie may only marry the son of the peasant Micha. Kezal, who is not aware that Micha has got another son, accepts. When Marie is informed of the deal, Hans no longer exists for her. At last he tells her about his identity and the game he played with Kezal, but she only believes him when Micha, too, recognizes Hans to be his son and embraces him.
Poetic, Romantic