Bedrich Smetana's comic opera Prodaná nevesta/The Bartered Bride is cherished as the Czech national opera and is the most popular Czech opera in the world. As performances in English-speaking countries have moved from German to English back to the original Czech, The Bartered Bride - Prodaná nevesta: Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation fills the need for an accessible, detailed guide to singing the work in Czech, as well as being valuable for those wishing to make or improve on an English singing translation.

Timothy Cheek provides idiomatic and word-for-word translations of the complete libretto for The Bartered Bride, including the International Phonetic Alphabet for Czech pronunciation, as well as translations of stage and musical directions. In addition, he offers an extensive performance history, a synopsis of the opera, general musical comments, a discussion of the roles, notes on the dances and choreographers, and an overview of Czech pronunciation and inflection. Appendixes list the Czech editions and English singing translations of the opera, as well as recordings on LP, CD, DVD, and film. With a sampling of historical and recent photos from opera productions, this guide is indispensable for singers and coaches, conductors and stage directors, and amateurs and professionals.

An invaluable guide for anyone planning to produce Prodaná nevesta; it addresses a multitude of issues, ranging from possible cuts in the score, to accuracy of editions. The volume is also a useful resource for opera aficionados interested in the history of the work. ... With this performance guide, Cheek has made another significant contribution to the study of Czech repertoire. * Journal of Singing *
Wow! This book is a treasure! It's put together so expertly, so thoroughly, and so lovingly. Thank you, Professor Cheek, for demystifying The Bartered Bride and giving us both the resources and the confidence to produce this wonderful opera in Czech. -- Stephen Dubberly, Opera Music Director, University of North Texas
No more excuses! Whether your questions about Smetana's opera Prodaná nevesta pertain to translation and pronunciation of the Czech language, the opera's history, its traditions or performance practices, Timothy Cheek has answered them all in his marvelous new book. This is a stunning achievement; one that I hope will place this masterful work where it belongs, in the repertoire of every professional opera company and every university opera workshop…and in its original language. Bravo, Dr. Cheek, and thank you! -- Benton Hess, Distinguished Professor of Voice, Eastman School of Music; Musical Director, Eastman Opera Theatre
Professor Timothy Cheek's book, The Bartered Bride—Prodana Nevesta: Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation, including literal and practical translations in English as well as an IPA transcription, is a masterful work.The first part of the work is dedicated to the The Bartered Bride in its various versions along with a fascinating detailed performance history- productions, singers, conductors, choreographers- as well as a crystal clear guide to the pronunciation of the Czech language.The second part is a pristine layout of the original Czech, the IPA guide, a literal translation as well as a practical one. It couldn't be easier to use.I can't imagine a finer work on The Bartered Bride in the English language appearing any time soon.For anyone interested in studying or performing this glorious piece, Professor Cheek's new work is without competition and utterly invaluable. Bravo, Tim -- Craig Rutenberg, Head of Music Administration, The Metropolitan Opera

A leading expert on Czech vocal music, Timothy Cheek is pianist, vocal coach, and professor of performing arts at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater & Dance in Ann Arbor. He is the author of Singing in Czech: A Guide to Czech Lyric Diction and Vocal Repertoire (2001), The Janácek Opera Libretti, volumes I (2003), II (2004) and III (2016), The Bartered Bride, Prodaná nevesta: Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation (2010), and Rusalka: A Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation (2012), published by Scarecrow Press and Rowman & Littlefield.