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A light and comical opera

Fernie Friends of Opera is proud to present a light night of opera with The Bartered Bride on Friday.

Fernie Friends of Opera is proud to present a light night of opera with The Bartered Bride on Friday.

Also known as The Sold Fiancee, the comic opera is considered to have made a huge contribution towards the development of Czech music. Composed by Bedrich Smetana to a libretto by Karel Sabina, it was originally performed in 1866 as a two act format with spoken dialogue. Set in a county village and revolving around realistic characters, The Bartered Bride tells the story of how true love always prevails. Although the opera was not initially received with praise, after revisions and turning it into a three act story, a final version premiered in 1870. The new and improved Bartered Bride gained popularity quickly and eventually became a worldwide success.

Even though love wins in the end, it takes three acts of scheming and drama to get there. Marenka is in love with Jenik, but her parents are insisting she marry someone she has never met. With the help of marriage-broker Kecal, Marenka's parents introduce her to Vasek, a perfect groom and the son of a wealthy landowner. Upon meeting Vasek, Marenka pretends to be someone else in the hopes that Vasek will not want to marry her. After much confusion and negotiations, as well as a song or two, Vasek agrees not to marry Marenka, leaving her free to be with her true love Jenik.

Enjoy a night at the opera with The Bartered Bride on Friday, 7 pm, at The Arts Station. Admission is by donation.