The Two Widows
The Two Widows ( Dve vdovy Czech ) is an opera in two acts by Bedřich Smetana. The libretto was written by Emanuel Züngel after the one-act play " Les deux Veuves " the French poet Jean Pierre Felicien Mallefille.
Smetana composed the opera between June 1873 and January 1874, the first performance took place on 27 March 1874 with the composer conducting at the Prague Ceske Divadlo Prozatimní instead. Due to the lack of success, he decided in 1877 to a Makeover: It replaced the dialogue with recitative, added some music, and re- invented the couple Tomík - Lidka to the other people involved to do so. The first performance of the second version had on October 20, 1874 a huge success. A German -language version with minor changes was created in 1958 by Kurt Honolka.
People
- Caroline, a young widow (soprano )
- Agnes, her sister, a young widow (soprano )
- Ladislav, a landowner (Tenor)
- Mumlal, a Heger ( bass)
- Tomík, a gardener (Tenor)
- Lidka, his fiancée, a maid (soprano )
- Country folk, choir
The action takes place in a castle in Bohemia the Biedermeier period.
Action
Act I
It celebrates the Kirchenweihtag the castle. The two widows Caroline and Agnes, who live here are very different. The landlord's wife Karoline pleased with their freedom and independence, but Agnes can not get used to their fate. She feels from her suitor Ladislav harassed, so she went to Caroline in the country. So Ladislav Agnes must approach with a list: He poaching in the forest of the castle and is arrested by Heger Mumlal on behalf of Caroline. Karoline feel Ladislav's feelings immediately and sentenced him to one day house arrest in her castle. Ladislav takes the penalty, Agnes can not enforce their protest. At the end of the act Lidka Tomík and sing with the choir, the power of love.
Second Act
Ladislav sings love songs in prison, while Agnes must be clear about their feelings. You can not bring himself to confess. Even Caroline's allusions and even a confession of love by Ladislav she can not bring herself to confess her feelings. Only when Caroline starts to flirt with Ladislav, Agnes decides their feelings Ladislav admit opposite. Lidunka Tomík and can not be dissuaded from Mumlal envious of their love. When Agnes comes back in her beautiful ball gown, she sees how Ladislav Karoline throws at your feet. He can not explain the embarrassing situation and Agnes is devastated. She confesses her love and dispensed Karoline sake Ladislav. The falls but her suddenly in his arms, and on Kirchweihtag get engaged both.