Title: Smetana: The Two Widows
Artist: Adriana Kucerova
Label: Naxos
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 730099060974
Genre: Classical Artists
Release Date: 2026-02-13
Number of Discs: 2

Considered a lesser-known gem of the operatic repertoire, Smetana's Dve vdovy ('The Two Widows') is set in a Bohemian country estate in which the contrasting personalities of recently widowed cousins Karolina and Anezka 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 it's 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.

Tracks:
1.1 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Overture
1.2 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act I. Scene 1: Jitro KRÁSNÉ Nebe Jasné Kyne NÁM (A Lovely Morning, Clear Skies Greet Us)
1.3 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act I. Scene 2: Recitative: Dobré Jitro, Drahá Sestrenice! (Good Morning, Dear Cousin!)
1.4 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act I. Scene 2: Samostatne Vládnu JÁ (I Rule Independently)
1.5 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act I. Scene 2: Recitative: Nuže, Co MÁM Tedy Cinit As? (Well Then, What Would You Have Me Do?)
1.6 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act I. Scene 3: Dobré Jitro, Milostivá Paní! (Good Morning, Gracious Lady!)
1.7 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act I. Scene 3: Recitative: Jedinou to Jeho Ctností (His Only Redeeming Grace Is...) - Scene 4: Recitative: Privede-LI Jej, Co Pak? (If He Brings Him Here Now, What Then?)
1.8 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act I. Scene 5: Dlouho-LI Zde Budu Bloudit (Will I Wander Here Long)
1.9 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act I. Scene 6: Recitative: V Porádku Vše, Milostpaní! (Everything Is in Order, Gracious Lady!)
1.10 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act I. Scene 7: Vezen Prede Dvermi Tam! (The Prisoner Is at the Door!)
1.11 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act I. Finale: Mumlale, Hle, Tu VÁS Máme (Look, Mumlal, We've Got You Here)
2.1 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Prelude
2.2 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 1: Song: Když Zavítá MÁJ (When May Comes Calling)
2.3 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 1: Recitative: Nechati Zde Muže Toho (Fine Idea Keeping That Man Here)
2.4 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 2: Není Pochybnosti Více (There Is No More Doubt)
2.5 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 3: Básen! - Recitative: Dlouho-LI Pak Chcete Prchati (A Poem! - Do You Want to Keep Fleeing from Me)
2.6 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 4: Recitative: Stujte, Pane! Jakže? (Halt, Sir! What?)
2.7 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 5: Odcházejí Spolu K Radosti! (They Are Leaving Together to Have Fun!)
2.8 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 6: Recitative: Dobre! Výborne! (Fine! Wonderful!)
2.9 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 6: Song: Necht Cokoliv Mne Zlobí V SVETE (When Anything at All Bothers Me)
2.10 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 6: Recitative: Milování Hodný Príteli (My Beloved, Worthy Friend)
2.11 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 7: Co to, Holka (What's This, Girl?)
2.12 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 8: Recitative: Zabruc, Mumlale, Jim Medvedem (Mumlal, Go and Grumble Like a Bear)
2.13 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 9: Ha! Jaké to, Ach, Prekvapení! (Ah, What a Surprise)
2.14 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Scene 9: Recitative: Milostivá! (Gracious Lady) - Finale: Recitative: Oznamuji Slušne Medvedem (I Hereby Bring the Glorious News)
2.15 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Finale: Musí NÁS MÍT PÁN BUH RÁD (The Lord God Must Love Us)
2.16 DVE Vdovy (The Two Widows)-Act II. Finale: Polka: Moderato - Musí NÁS MÍT PÁN BUH RÁD (The Lord God Must Love Us)