Search - Jindrich Jindrak, Jiri Joran, Zdenek Otava :: Smetana:The Brandenburgers in Bohemia

Excellent version of a minor but endearing work

G.D. | Norway | 12/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Brandenburgers in Bohemia was Smetana's first opera, but by all means a mature work. The topic is appropriately patriotic for the time and the competition for which it was written, with the plot set during the Brandenburgian occupation of Bohemia during the thirteenth century. It might not, in the end, be an unqualified masterpiece, but it is certainly vigorous, enjoyable and well written with more than a hint of originality, and also influences from Italian and French opera of the time - indeed, the set pieces are probably among the finest things in the opera, and fortunately there's a lot of them.



Milada Subrtova sings well as the main character, Ludise, and Zdenek Otava is as convincing as is possible in the part of Tausendmark - who does not receive the most skillfully written parts of the opera (neither musically nor in terms of the character). The other parts are also well handled and Tichy draws a riveting performance from chorus and orchestra (and I mean that; this is a splendid performance, orchestrally and choral-wise).



The recording dates from 1963 and shows it age. It is somewhat boxy and doesn't allow the choral or orchestral playing to really bloom, which is unfortunate given the quality of these parts and how well they are played. Still, this recording is the only one available of some vigorous and hugely enjoyable music - excellently performed - and is as such strongly recommended."