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BBC Music Magazine 5*

Smetana: The Two Widows

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Details

Composer
Bedrich Smetana
Artist
Adriana Kucerova, Katerina Knezikova, Pavol Breslik, Adam Plachetka, Jana Sibera, Petr Nekoranec, Pr
Format
CD
Discs
2
Label
Naxos
Released
Feb 13, 2026
Catalog #
8660609-10
UPC
730099060974

About

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.

Critic reviews

  • “This new recording from Prague showcases all the opera’s strengths, with the conductor Robert Jindra drawing fleet and stylish playing from the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra… some of today’s brightest Czech and Slovak operatic talent.”

    BBC Music Magazine, 5 stars, March 2026

Tracklist 27 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Overture 06:53
    Track
    1
    Title
    Overture
    Duration
    06:53
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  3. 2 Act I Scene 1: Jitro krásné nebe jasné kyne nám (A lovely morning, clear skies greet us) (Chorus, Karolina) 04:45
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: Jitro krásné nebe jasné kyne nám (A lovely morning, clear skies greet us) (Chorus, Karolina)
    Duration
    04:45
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adriana Kučerová
    Ensemble
    Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  4. 3 Act I Scene 2: Recitative: Dobré jitro, drahá sestřenice! (Good morning, dear cousin!) (Anežka, Karolína) 01:09
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act I Scene 2: Recitative: Dobré jitro, drahá sestřenice! (Good morning, dear cousin!) (Anežka, Karolína)
    Duration
    01:09
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Kateřina Kněžíková, Adriana Kučerová
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  5. 4 Act I Scene 2: Samostatně vládnu já (I rule independently) (Karolína) 04:28
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act I Scene 2: Samostatně vládnu já (I rule independently) (Karolína)
    Duration
    04:28
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adriana Kučerová
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  6. 5 Act I Scene 2: Recitative: Nuže, co mám tedy činit as? (Well then, what would you have me do?) (Anežka, Karolína) 00:58
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act I Scene 2: Recitative: Nuže, co mám tedy činit as? (Well then, what would you have me do?) (Anežka, Karolína)
    Duration
    00:58
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Kateřina Kněžíková, Adriana Kučerová
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  7. 6 Act I Scene 3: Dobré jitro, milostivá paní! (Good morning, gracious lady!) (Mumlal, Karolína, Anežka) 08:37
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: Dobré jitro, milostivá paní! (Good morning, gracious lady!) (Mumlal, Karolína, Anežka)
    Duration
    08:37
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adam Plachetka, Adriana Kučerová, Kateřina Kněžíková
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  8. 7 Act I Scene 3: Recitative: Jedinou to jeho ctností (His only redeeming grace is…) - Scene 4: Přivede-li jej, co pak? (If he brings him here now, what then?) (Mumlal, Karolína, Anežka) 02:52
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: Recitative: Jedinou to jeho ctností (His only redeeming grace is…) - Scene 4: Přivede-li jej, co pak? (If he brings him here now, what then?) (Mumlal, Karolína, Anežka)
    Duration
    02:52
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adam Plachetka, Adriana Kučerová, Kateřina Kněžíková
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  9. 8 Act I Scene 5: Dlouho-li zde budu bloudit (Will I wander here long) (Ladislav, Mumlal) 04:58
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act I Scene 5: Dlouho-li zde budu bloudit (Will I wander here long) (Ladislav, Mumlal)
    Duration
    04:58
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Pavol Breslik, Adam Plachetka
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  10. 9 Act I Scene 6: Recitative: V pořádku vše, milostpaní! (Everything is in order, gracious lady!) (Mumlal, Karolína, Anežka) 01:46
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act I Scene 6: Recitative: V pořádku vše, milostpaní! (Everything is in order, gracious lady!) (Mumlal, Karolína, Anežka)
    Duration
    01:46
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adam Plachetka, Adriana Kučerová, Kateřina Kněžíková
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  11. 10 Act I Scene 7: Vězeň přede dveřmi tam! (The prisoner is at the door!) (Mumlal, Karolina, Ladislav, Anežka) 17:54
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act I Scene 7: Vězeň přede dveřmi tam! (The prisoner is at the door!) (Mumlal, Karolina, Ladislav, Anežka)
    Duration
    17:54
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adam Plachetka, Adriana Kučerová, Pavol Breslik, Kateřina Kněžíková
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  12. 11 Act I Finale: Mumlale, hle, tu vás máme (Look, Mumlal, we've got you here) (Chorus, Mumlal, Lidunka, Toník, Ladislav, Karolína, Anežka) 04:59
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act I Finale: Mumlale, hle, tu vás máme (Look, Mumlal, we've got you here) (Chorus, Mumlal, Lidunka, Toník, Ladislav, Karolína, Anežka)
    Duration
    04:59
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adam Plachetka, Jana Sibera, Petr Nekoranec, Pavol Breslik, Adriana Kučerová, Kateřina Kněžíková
    Ensemble
    Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  13. Disc 2
  14. 1 Act II: Prelude 02:49
    Track
    1
    Title
    Act II: Prelude
    Duration
    02:49
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  15. 2 Act II Scene 1: Piseň (Song): Když zavítá máj (When May comes calling) (Ladislav) 02:41
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act II Scene 1: Piseň (Song): Když zavítá máj (When May comes calling) (Ladislav)
    Duration
    02:41
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Pavol Breslik
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  16. 3 Act II Scene 1: Recitative: Nechati zde muže toho (Fine idea keeping that man here) (Anežka, Karolina, Mumlal) 02:38
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act II Scene 1: Recitative: Nechati zde muže toho (Fine idea keeping that man here) (Anežka, Karolina, Mumlal)
    Duration
    02:38
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Kateřina Kněžíková, Adriana Kučerová, Adam Plachetka
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  17. 4 Act II Scene 2: Není pochybnosti více (There is no more doubt) (Karolina, Anežka) 08:06
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act II Scene 2: Není pochybnosti více (There is no more doubt) (Karolina, Anežka)
    Duration
    08:06
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adriana Kučerová, Kateřina Kněžíková
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  18. 5 Act II Scene 3: Báseň! - Recitative: Dlouho-li pak chcete prchati (A poem! - Do you want to keep fleeing from me) (Anežka, Ladislav) 14:03
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act II Scene 3: Báseň! - Recitative: Dlouho-li pak chcete prchati (A poem! - Do you want to keep fleeing from me) (Anežka, Ladislav)
    Duration
    14:03
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Kateřina Kněžíková, Pavol Breslik
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  19. 6 Act II Scene 4: Recitative: Stůjte, pane! Jakže? (Halt, sir! What?) (Karolina, Anežka, Ladislav) 02:47
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Recitative: Stůjte, pane! Jakže? (Halt, sir! What?) (Karolina, Anežka, Ladislav)
    Duration
    02:47
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adriana Kučerová, Kateřina Kněžíková, Pavol Breslik
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  20. 7 Act II Scene 5: Odcházejí spolu k radosti! (They are leaving together to have fun!) (Anežka) 08:55
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act II Scene 5: Odcházejí spolu k radosti! (They are leaving together to have fun!) (Anežka)
    Duration
    08:55
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Kateřina Kněžíková
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  21. 8 Act II Scene 6: Recitative: Dobře! Výborně! (Fine! Wonderful!) (Mumlal, Anežka) 01:28
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act II Scene 6: Recitative: Dobře! Výborně! (Fine! Wonderful!) (Mumlal, Anežka)
    Duration
    01:28
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adam Plachetka, Kateřina Kněžíková
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  22. 9 Act II Scene 6: Piseň (Song): Nechť cokoliv mne zlobí v světě (When anything at all bothers me) (Mumlal) 03:40
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act II Scene 6: Piseň (Song): Nechť cokoliv mne zlobí v světě (When anything at all bothers me) (Mumlal)
    Duration
    03:40
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adam Plachetka
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  23. 10 Act II Scene 6: Recitative: Milování hodný příteli (My beloved, worthy friend) (Anežka, Mumlal) 00:45
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act II Scene 6: Recitative: Milování hodný příteli (My beloved, worthy friend) (Anežka, Mumlal)
    Duration
    00:45
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Kateřina Kněžíková, Adam Plachetka
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  24. 11 Act II Scene 7: Co to, holka (What's this, girl?) (Toník, Lidunka, Mumlal) 04:07
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act II Scene 7: Co to, holka (What's this, girl?) (Toník, Lidunka, Mumlal)
    Duration
    04:07
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Petr Nekoranec, Jana Sibera, Adam Plachetka
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  25. 12 Act II Scene 8: Recitative: Zabruč, Mumlale, jim medvědem (Mumlal, go and grumble like a bear) (Karolina, Mumlal, Ladislav) 05:11
    Track
    12
    Title
    Act II Scene 8: Recitative: Zabruč, Mumlale, jim medvědem (Mumlal, go and grumble like a bear) (Karolina, Mumlal, Ladislav)
    Duration
    05:11
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adriana Kučerová, Adam Plachetka, Pavol Breslik
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  26. 13 Act II Scene 9: Ha! Jaké to, ach, překvapení! (Ah, what a surprise) (Anežka, Ladislav, Karolina, Mumlal) 05:10
    Track
    13
    Title
    Act II Scene 9: Ha! Jaké to, ach, překvapení! (Ah, what a surprise) (Anežka, Ladislav, Karolina, Mumlal)
    Duration
    05:10
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Kateřina Kněžíková, Pavol Breslik, Adriana Kučerová, Adam Plachetka
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  27. 14 Act II Scene 9: Recitative: Milostivá! (Gracious lady) (Ladislav, Karolina, Anežka) 05:44
    Track
    14
    Title
    Act II Scene 9: Recitative: Milostivá! (Gracious lady) (Ladislav, Karolina, Anežka)
    Duration
    05:44
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Pavol Breslik, Adriana Kučerová, Kateřina Kněžíková
    Ensemble
    Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  28. 15 Act II: Finale: Musí nás mít Pán Bůh rád (The Lord God must love us) (Chorus, Karolina) 02:10
    Track
    15
    Title
    Act II: Finale: Musí nás mít Pán Bůh rád (The Lord God must love us) (Chorus, Karolina)
    Duration
    02:10
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Performer
    Adriana Kučerová
    Ensemble
    Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra
  29. 16 Act II: Finale: Polka - Musí nás mít Pán Bůh rád (The Lord God must love us) (Chorus) 03:56
    Track
    16
    Title
    Act II: Finale: Polka - Musí nás mít Pán Bůh rád (The Lord God must love us) (Chorus)
    Duration
    03:56
    Composer
    Bedřich Smetana
    Ensemble
    Prague National Theatre Chorus, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Jindra