Kompletn opern dlo – 17 CD

This 17-CD set presents the complete operatic works of Bedich Smetana, released on CD for the first time to mark the 200th anniversary of the composers birth. Opera occupies a central place in Smetanas work, alongside the symphonic-poem cycle M vlast, and his nine operas, the last of them unfinished, reveal his dramatic talent and distinctive style. The collection brings together recordings made from the 1960s to the 1980s by several generations of Czech singers, chiefly associated with Pragues National Theatre. It includes the celebrated recordings of The Bartered Bride and The Secret conducted by Zdenk Koler, his exceptional 1983 recording of Libue made for the reopening of the National Theatre in Prague, Jan Hus by Tich, The Brandenburgers in Bohemia, Zdenk Chalabalas exemplary The Devils Wall and Dalibor conducted by Jaroslav Krombholc. The box contains seven separately packaged 2-CD sets and one 3-CD set, detailed information on each opera, a booklet with a comprehensive study and photographs, and a link to librettos in Czech and English. Newly digitally transferred and remastered recordings preserve the sound of the Czech Smetana tradition in high-resolution listening.