The Kiss

After all, the combination of the brilliant Bedřich Smetana and writer Eliška Krásnohorská, who wrote the excellent libretto, based on a short story by Karolína Světlá, guarantees success.

Until recently, Smetana’s The Kiss belonged to the essential repertoire of all Czech opera houses. Nowadays, it is performed much less frequently, which is a pity, since it captivates audiences with its beautiful music and authentic characters. The libretto for the sixth of Smetana’s operas was written by Eliška Krásnohorská and based on Karolína Světlá’s short story. When Lukáš becomes a widower, he proposes to his previous love, Vendulka. They soon start arguing about the kiss that Vendulka – due to her respect for his deceased wife – refuses to give to Lukáš before he marries her. In the end, the two obstinate young people reconcile and eventually fall into each other's arms.