Life in a village should be quiet, peaceful, serene; but not in Francesca Zambello’s production of Smetana’s boisterous comedy.

As with all the best operatic comedies, the plot revolves around a love triangle: peasant girl Marenka is deeply in love with the penniless Jeník. However, the wily marriage broker Kecal is trying to hoodwink Jeník, so Marenka finds herself facing a life with the rich, but fairly thick Vašek. As if this was not enough, there is a travelling circus complete with Ringmaster, the alluring Esmerelda and a terrorising bear!

Learn more about London operas within the West End.