Smetana: Libuše (various soloist's) Prague National Theatre Chorus & Orchestra / Jaroslav Kromholc Supraphon 2 cd's (Recorded in 1965)I listened to this last night. It's a fine piece with allot of stirring music,majestic fanfares and choruses. Well,worth hearing! A great composer and there's definitely allot more to his operatic output than The Bartered Bride,which,sadly,seems to be less popular these days! That said,I think I prefer Smetana in rustic,folksy mode;ie The Devil's Wall,The Kiss,The Two Widows and Bartered Bride! (Haven't heard The Brandenburgers in Bohemia,Dalibor or The Secret,yet!). I think The Devils Wall is my favourite of the "other" operas,so far! I think I might even like it better than The Bartered Bride!
Returning to Libuše. I am given to understand that there are more recent recordings that are superior,vocally! Unforunately,I'm not terribly keen on live recordings,so I've resisted them & this old 60's recording was in stereo and cheap! The singing is good,to my ears,but one of the women soloist's shows strain when she reaches some top notes! It's not too bad;but she's obviously not quite up to the demand's of Smetana's writing! Fortunately,the majority of the score is sufficiently within her range! I don't know how old she was at the time of the recording & I'd have to identify her name in the booklet (I can't be bothered at the moment! ::) ;D) so maybe her voice had seen better days?! Theory Number two! She had a bit of a cold! I should point out,there is no libretto with the recording. One of the things I used to like about Supraphon was they always provided a libretto with an english translation (often,unintentionally,but,endearingly,hilarious! Unlike Cpo's). So,this is a rather depressing trend! (I rather expect it from the big label's but not Supraphon! And yes,I know they're old recordings,but still.......!! >:()
Odd artwork! I wonder what it's meant to signify? Youth & the future of the nation,perhaps? It's just the shortness of the skirt & the tightness of the blouse?!! :o