Considered a lesser-known gem of the operatic repertoire, Smetana’s Dvě vdovy (‘The Two Widows’) is set in a Bohemian country estate in which the contrasting personalities of recently widowed cousins Karolína and Anežka are tested by the attentions of gentleman-farmer Ladislav. Smetana’s expert theatrical craftsmanship seamlessly blends Czech dances and choruses with beautiful cavatina-like solos. With the humane warmth of its chamber-like comedy and deftly transparent orchestration, Smetana created a style of conversational opera in The Two Widows that was much admired by Richard Strauss.

Somewhat overshadowed by the more festive and extrovert The Bartered Bride, Smetana’s The Two Widows is only represented in its complete form on disc by a couple of recordings on the Supraphon label. This new release will widen appreciation for a lovely and innovative opera that set an early precedent for stage works that derive narrative flow from the natural cadence of speech rather than being punctuated with grand arias and set pieces.

While far less well-known internationally than some other operas of its period, The Two Widows has never entirely left the repertoire of Czech opera houses. Following a number of revisions after its premiere in 1874, this is an opera in which discipline of form, sensitivity to the Czech language and thematic economy has seen it sustained by a tradition that values its blend of charm and truth to character.

Robert Jindra studied at the Prague Conservatory. He has conducted operas from Czech and international opera repertoire, as well as special concerts, at the National Theatre in Prague since 2001, where he also served as music director during the 2013/14 season. From 2010 to 2014 he was music director of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in Ostrava, and from 2019 to 2021 served as first Kapellmeister of the Aalto Musiktheater and Philharmonie Essen. In 2021 he made his acclaimed debut at the Bayerische Staatsoper festival with Rusalka, and from 2021 to 2024 he held the post of chief conductor of the Slovak State Philharmonic (Košice).

Cast:
- Karolína: Adriana Kučerová (soprano)
- Anežka: Kateřina Kněžíková (soprano)
- Ladislav: Pavol Breslik (tenor)
- Mumlal: Adam Plachetka (bass-baritone)
- Lidunka: Jana Sibera (soprano)
- Toník: Petr Nekoranec (tenor)