Album
Prague National Theatre Orchestra, František Škvor
Blodek: In the Well
Catalogue Number: SU 4341-2
Published: 24th January 2025
Genre: Opera
Format: 1 CD
On CD for the first time in the original stereophonic version
For the Year of Czech Music and for the 150th anniversary of the death of the Czech composer Vilém Blodek, Supraphon has prepared a real treat for opera lovers in the form of the 1959 stereo recording of the opera In the Well (V studni), never before released on any physical medium. The recording was released briefly in the first half of the 1960s on LP records, but only in a monophonic version. After that, it disappeared from the catalogue for several decades. Only now, nearly 66 years since the recording was made and after careful restoration of the sound from the original tapes, this rarity from the early days of stereophonic recording technology is being released in all of its original sonic glory. The soloists were Milada Šubrtová, Štěpánka Štěpánová, Ivo Žídek, and Zdeněk Kroupa. The chorus and orchestra of the Prague National Theatre were conducted by František Škvor in his only complete operatic recording in the Supraphon catalogue.
At the same time, this release also commemorates the recent 100th anniversary of the birth of Milada Šubrtová, a singer at the Prague National Theatre.
For the Year of Czech Music and for the 150th anniversary of the death of the Czech composer Vilém Blodek, Supraphon has prepared a real treat for opera lovers in the form of the 1959 stereo recording of the opera In the Well (V studni), never before released on any physical medium. The recording was released briefly in the first half of the 1960s on LP records, but only in a monophonic version. After that, it disappeared from the catalogue for several decades. Only now, nearly 66 years since the recording was made and after careful restoration of the sound from the original tapes, this rarity from the early days of stereophonic recording technology is being released in all of its original sonic glory. The soloists were Milada Šubrtová, Štěpánka Štěpánová, Ivo Žídek, and Zdeněk Kroupa. The chorus and orchestra of the Prague National Theatre were conducted by František Škvor in his only complete operatic recording in the Supraphon catalogue.
At the same time, this release also commemorates the recent 100th anniversary of the birth of Milada Šubrtová, a singer at the Prague National Theatre.
Reviews
“The cast of just four soloists is headed by the lovely soprano of Milada Šubrtová as the young maiden Lidunka, with contralto Štěpánka Štěpánová as the wise Veruna, the ringing, honeyed and distinctly Czech tenor of Ivo Žídek as Lidunka’s sweetheart Vojtěch, and bass Zdeněk Kroupa as the hapless elderly widower Janek… the entertaining score contains many delights, not least a scene-setting intermezzo depicting moonrise on Midsummer Eve, and some jolly choruses. Škvor conducts a sparkling account of this compact opera, which will be a welcome treat for lovers of Czech opera.”
Europadisc, February 2025
“In the Well is a work of tremendous brio, charm and fun brimming with comic incidents… this newly-minted stereo recording fits handily on one disc and reflects the high standards at the National Theatre and Supraphon’s care and enterprise in remastering this lovable example of Czech comic opera.”
MusicWeb International, March 2025
“L’œuvre est délicieuse, écrite preste et savoureusement parcourue de motifs populaires, magnifiquement instrumentée, et contient un spectaculaire rôle à colorature, celui de Lidunka… Merveilleuse la Lidunka de Milada Šubrtová, délicieusement troussée la sorcière selon Štěpánka Štěpánová, vif et ardent le Vojtěch d’Ivo Žídek, perles d’une gravure emmenée avec brio par František Škvor et que l’on retrouve enfin dans toute sa splendeur.”
Artalinna, March 2025
“Die technisch bestens restaurierte Aufnahme stammt aus dem Jahr 1962 und glänzt mit einem Quartett von damals allerersten tschechischen Gesangskräften… Vor allem aber bezaubert Milada Šubrtová mit ihrem innigen, kristallklaren Sopran. František Škvor dirigiert mit mitreißendem Brio und atmosphärischem Gespür, Chor und Orchester des Prager Nationaltheaters musizieren mit ansteckender Verve. Mithin: eine dicke Empfehlung!”
Orpheus, March 2025
“Ein erfreulicher Trend: Historische Aufnahmen sind wieder ‚in‘. Den Markt erreichen in den letzten Jahren auffallend viele remasterte Klassiker von Callas über Smetana bis Karajan – dank neuer Techniken klingen sie brillanter denn je. Ein besonderer Leckerbissen ist Vilem Blodeks komischer Einakter ‚Im Brunnen‘.”
RBB Radio 3, April 2025
“Vier solide Sänger sowie die Kräfte des Prager Nationaltheaters unter dem rustikal zupackenden František Škvor lassen sie schön plastisch werden…”
Fono Forum, May 2025
“Es gibt zweifellos so etwas wie einen Nationalstil; man kann in dieser Aufnahme die unverwechselbare tschechische Intonation erleben; solche Stimmen gibt es in Polen oder Ungarn nicht. Ausgefeilt und originell auch Blodeks Instrumentation, nicht nur im silbrigen Mondschein-Intermezzo.”
Opern Welt, August 2025
“Dans le puits séduit par le charme des mélodies, la délicatesse des couleurs, la caractérisation des personnages – y compris le choeur qui, à la fin, proclame un hymne à la nuit et aux ancêtres. Ainsi que par le rythme vif qu'imprime Blodek à une partition fleurant bon le terroir. Premier enregistrement stéréo tchèque, cette gravure de 1959 signée Frantisek Skvor n'a perdu aucun de ses attraits.”
Diapason, October 2025