1859년 오스트리아는 이탈리아에 참패를 하며 소수민족에 대한 탄압을 완화하기에 이른다. 이에 체코에는 새로운 희망이 싹트기 시작했다. 그 당시 스메타나는 스웨덴에서 활동하고 있었는데 이러한 조국의 소식을 듣고 1861년에 귀국하여 국민적 오페라를 발표하였다. 이 곡은 이러한 의도에서 작곡된 2번째 작품으로 그에게 있어서 최고의 걸작으로 꼽힌다. 향토적인 민속무곡을 재치 있게 살리고 야성적인 농민들의 꾸밈새 없는 열광이 즐겁기 만한 작품으로 1863년 완성되었다.
Bedrich Smetana, 1824-1884. Overture to ``The Bartered Bride'' (``Prodaná Nevesta''). The Bohemian composer Bedrich Smetana is considered the father of Czech opera, a rather notable accomplishment given that Czech was not his first language. Born under Hapsburg rule, the boy was schooled first in German, and only later in life was he able to study his hereditary tongue. In fact, when he was working on his second opera, he used a German translation of the text as an aid in composition.
The Bartered Bride, which might more aptly be titled The Sold Bride, relates a comic tale of love and trickery. In brief, Marenka(마르젠카=Maria - 크루시나와 우드밀라의 딸) is in love with Jenik(예니크 - 미하와 첫번째 부인 사이에서 낳은 아들), but her parents plan to wed her to the son of Micha(미하 - 땅주인), a local landlord. Unknown to all but himself, Jenik is Micha's long-lost son. Jenik allows the marriage broker(케찰 - 결혼 중매인) to buy him off for a high price, but exacts a condition that Marenka be wed to ``The eldest son of Micha.'' The broker agrees, thinking that Micha has only one son, but all ends happily when Jenik's true heritage is revealed.
Overtures to operas are usually written almost as afterthoughts, but Smetana was so taken with the story that he wrote the lively prelude before beginning any other work on the opera. The result was a piece that stands alone beautifully, yet still serves as a wonderful introduction to the work that made Smetana famous.
Smetana "Prodaná Nevesta (The bartered bride)" Overture Mariss Jansons: Conductor Berliner Philhamoniker