Study Guide
Study Guide Contents
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Beginner's Guide to Opera
- Who's Who At the Opera
- The Lyric Opera House
- BOC Education Programs
- A Bibliography of Selected Readings
- Education Resources
2007-2008 SEASON
2006-2007 SEASON
2005-2006 SEASON
2004-2005 SEASON
2003-2004 SEASON
2002-2003 SEASON
PREVIOUS OPERAS
The Bartered Bride
Prodaná Nevesta
Perspectives on the Role of Marenka
The Bartered Bride is one of the most popular and successful operas that brought Smetana to international fame. Originally meant to be almost a frivolous "operetta" as he called it himself, it gradually became a true opera of many facets and the different directors have seen so many different aspects of this wonderfully amusing, touching and so very human opera. Sometimes their efforts were appreciated and very often failed, as it is always with performing arts. We all know this is most importantly decided by the audience who is the ultimate judge!
I have been so lucky that I was able to portray Marenka in 4 productions, always with different directors, conductors and especially great colleagues.
As for Marenka - she is one of my favorite parts and after such a long time I have been living with her, I can say that she is now "mine" and yet the part keeps being a challenge with always new secrets and inspirations. Marenka is both a very merry and jolly young girl full of hopes, probably in love for the first time, but she is also very serious about her relationship and may be very playful, especially in her moments with Vašek.
I am always very excited and full of expectations before any new staging for it is going to be yet another challenge, new experience and discovering new secrets I had no idea about.
Simply put, The Bartered Bride has always been and will be for me a colorful picture where you can discover many layers of various colors or shades.
-Dana Burešová