Vanda

It in Krakow, Poland, in legendary times. (Plain in front of Wawel, trees) The girls praise the beauty of nature and the power of the god Svantovít (chorus: "Slunko svítí, slunko hřeje, Svantovít dal máj" / The sun shines, the sun warms, Svantovít gave May"). The daughters of the late ruler Krak, Vanda and Božena, arrive. Vanda is burdened by something, sends the girls away and confides to Božena her fears about how she, as a "weak girl", chosen to her father's throne, will manage to rule the Polish land well. The knight Slavoj comes to say goodbye to Vanda: he reminds her of their childhood together and of his heroic deeds (the duet "Ó královno má překrásná" / "O Queen My Beautiful" and Slavoj's romance "Hned, když jsem ještě hochem byl" / "Now When I Was a Boy"). But now he must give up his desire for her, because as a young man of humble origins he cannot become the Queen's husband. But Vanda holds him back and gives him hope (the duet "Oj, mocní bohové, co jsem/jsi to pověděla!" / "O mighty gods, what have I/you said!"). So Slavoj stays by her side, but a messenger arrives from the German Prince Roderich, who asks for Vanda's hand in the name of his master. However, she has already refused it twice during her father's lifetime, and would like to do the same now (singing "To vše jsou pro mne divná, marná slova" / "All these are strange, vain words to me"), but leaves the final decision to the council of peasants. The old high priest, guardian of pagan traditions but also o…

Estratto dalla sezione Synopsis dell’articolo Wikipedia — testo rilasciato con licenza CC BY-SA 4.0. Leggi la trama completa →