Romantic Comedy 'The Bartered Bride' Opens CCM's 2019-20 Opera Series

UC’s College-Conservatory of Music opens its new CCMONSTAGE Opera Series with Bedřich Smetana’s romantic comedy The Bartered Bride, which runs Nov. 21-24, 2019 at Patricia Corbett Theater. This classic Czech opera is described as “irresistible for its charming characters and lively pace, and, above all, for its rich, colorful score” by the New York Times.

Part bubbly operetta and part Bohemian folk pageant, CCM sets The Bartered Bride in a Czech community in Texas in 1948. Mařenka is arranged to marry the son of a rich landowner, but she is in love with someone else. Defiantly, Mařenka vows before her parents that she will only accept her love, Jeník, as her husband. As her parents and the matchmaker fight for the arranged marriage, the young lovers fight against tradition in order to be together.

“This story lends itself wonderfully to being shaped from a modern point of view,” says CCM Artist Diploma student Audrey Chait, director of the opera. “This production explores what it means to be a young American immigrant, preserving the traditions of the old country while embracing a new way of life,”

CCM’s production is conducted by guest artist and CCM alumnus Levi Hammer and features a new English singing libretto by CCM Opera faculty member Kathleen Kelly. The opera’s original libretto is by Karel Sabina. The process of translation and adaptation started between Kelly and Chait in the summer. In order to make the translation more authentic to the immigrant experience, some text is left in the original Czech.

“In the spirit of realism, the folk songs are sung as-is, as are moments when characters do not want to filter their most urgent thoughts through a second language,” Chait adds.

Movers and Makers magazine named CCM’s production of The Bartered Bride a “must see” event of Cincinnati’s music and opera of the fall season. Read more about this season’s Opera Series in The News Record.

• 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23
• 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24

Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati

Single tickets prices start at $39.50; Student discounts and group rates are also available.

Learn about additional ticket options for current CCM students.

Subscribe to CCMONSTAGE’s Three-Show Opera Series for just $89.

Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online now through our e-box office.

CCM is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. Please visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions for detailed driving directions to CCM Village.

Parking is available in UC’s CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates.

For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. 

CCMONSTAGE Production Sponsor: Macy’s and Dr. & Mrs. Carl G. Fischer

Opera Production Sponsor: Genevieve Smith

Story by CCM Graduate Student Kelly Barefield

A preeminent institution for the performing and media arts, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is the largest single source of performing arts presentations in the state of Ohio. All event dates and programs are subject to change. For a complete calendar of events, please visit us online at ccm.uc.edu.