Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
DALIBOR
Bedřich Smetana
July 25 – August 3, 2025
Bard SummerScape
Composed by Bedřich Smetana
Libretto by Josef Wenzig
Czech translation by Ervín Špindler
English translation by Jindřich Elbl*
American Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Leon Botstein, Music Director
Bard Festival Chorale
Chorus Master James Bagwell
“Smashing.” —BroadwayWorld
“Smetana’s Dalibor stuns at Bard.” —Bachtrack
“Impressive. Dramatic. Ingenious. The American Symphony Orchestra was in excellent form under Leon Botstein.” —The Wall Street Journal
“This Bard production, led by Leon Botstein, makes the strongest possible case musically, dramatically, and visually for Smetana’s opera Dalibor.” —Parterre Box
Experience the gripping drama of Bedřich Smetana’s Dalibor, a powerful Czech opera that weaves themes of revenge, love, and fate. Set against a backdrop of medieval intrigue, Dalibor follows its titular tragic hero as he faces a desperate struggle for redemption. With sweeping orchestral music and unforgettable arias, Dalibor captivates with its emotional depth and stirring melodies. Director Jean-Romain Vesperini (Henri VIII) returned to Bard SummerScape to helm this first fully staged American production of a rarely heard masterpiece.
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CAST
Vladislav, Czech King • Alfred Walker
Dalibor, a knight • John Matthew Myers
Budivoj, Commander of the castle guard • Eric Greene
Beneš, the jailor • Wei Wu
Vítek, one of Dalibor’s mercenaries • Terrence Chin-Loy
Milada, sister of the burgrave of Ploškovice • Cadie J. Bryan
Jitka, a village maiden on Dalibor’s estate • Erica Petrocelli
Zdeněk, a ghost • Patrick Andrews
A judge • Aaron Theno
CREATIVE TEAM
Direction • Jean-Romain Vesperini
Set Design • Bruno de Lavenère
Costume Design • Alain Blanchot
Lighting Design • Christophe Chaupin
Projection Design • Étienne Guiol
Hair/Makeup Design • Anika Seitu
Dramaturg and Diction Coach • Véronique Firkusny
Supertitle Creation • Corinne Hayes
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EXPLORE & LEARN
For production photography, interviews, and more, visit: https://fishercenter.bard.edu/explore-learn/dalibor.
To read the opera program: bit.ly/dalibor-bard-program
DALIBOR
Bedřich Smetana
July 25 – August 3, 2025
Bard SummerScape
Composed by Bedřich Smetana
Libretto by Josef Wenzig
Czech translation by Ervín Špindler
English translation by Jindřich Elbl*
American Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Leon Botstein, Music Director
Bard Festival Chorale
Chorus Master James Bagwell
“Smashing.” —BroadwayWorld
“Smetana’s Dalibor stuns at Bard.” —Bachtrack
“Impressive. Dramatic. Ingenious. The American Symphony Orchestra was in excellent form under Leon Botstein.” —The Wall Street Journal
“This Bard production, led by Leon Botstein, makes the strongest possible case musically, dramatically, and visually for Smetana’s opera Dalibor.” —Parterre Box
Experience the gripping drama of Bedřich Smetana’s Dalibor, a powerful Czech opera that weaves themes of revenge, love, and fate. Set against a backdrop of medieval intrigue, Dalibor follows its titular tragic hero as he faces a desperate struggle for redemption. With sweeping orchestral music and unforgettable arias, Dalibor captivates with its emotional depth and stirring melodies. Director Jean-Romain Vesperini (Henri VIII) returned to Bard SummerScape to helm this first fully staged American production of a rarely heard masterpiece.
-----------------
CAST
Vladislav, Czech King • Alfred Walker
Dalibor, a knight • John Matthew Myers
Budivoj, Commander of the castle guard • Eric Greene
Beneš, the jailor • Wei Wu
Vítek, one of Dalibor’s mercenaries • Terrence Chin-Loy
Milada, sister of the burgrave of Ploškovice • Cadie J. Bryan
Jitka, a village maiden on Dalibor’s estate • Erica Petrocelli
Zdeněk, a ghost • Patrick Andrews
A judge • Aaron Theno
CREATIVE TEAM
Direction • Jean-Romain Vesperini
Set Design • Bruno de Lavenère
Costume Design • Alain Blanchot
Lighting Design • Christophe Chaupin
Projection Design • Étienne Guiol
Hair/Makeup Design • Anika Seitu
Dramaturg and Diction Coach • Véronique Firkusny
Supertitle Creation • Corinne Hayes
-----------------
EXPLORE & LEARN
For production photography, interviews, and more, visit: https://fishercenter.bard.edu/explore-learn/dalibor.
To read the opera program: bit.ly/dalibor-bard-program
