Southeast River Campus Showcasing Comedic Opera, ‘The Bartered Bride’
01/18/2017

Southeast Missouri State University’s Department of Music will present Smetana’s “The Bartered Bride” Friday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus.

“For our production, we have decided to return to Smetana’s original concept of using spoken dialogue instead of the traditional (at the time) recitative, which is a form of sung dialogue,” said Christopher Goeke, professor of music at Southeast.  “We feel this represents the kind of story telling that was intended for this show.  As a result, it moves along quickly and is easy to follow.”

“The Bartered Bride,” by Bedrick Smetana, is a tuneful and amusing show following the trials of a young couple as they navigate parental interference.  It takes place in a picturesque country village in Bohemia as the joyous annual spring festival is beginning. The plot involves a pushy marriage broker, an unwilling bride, a timid and petrified groom, another mysterious groom, meddling parents, some really fun circus characters, and lots of festive townspeople and dancing.

“Will love triumph over greed?  Come and see for yourself!” Goeke said.

“The Bartered Bride” will be performed in English, with super-titles and will also feature orchestral accompaniment, and period sets and costumes. Tickets  Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by calling (573) 651-2265, or online at RiverCampus.org/the-bartered-bride.