from Act III of the Czech opera
The Bartered Bride (Prodaná Nevesta) by Bedrich Smetana
Libretto: Karel Sabina
Role: Marenka, daughter of Krusina and Ludmilla
Voice Part: soprano
Setting: spring in a Bohemian village, Bohemia
Synopsis: Marenka believes that her love, Jenik, has betrayed her by selling the rights to marry her to another person. As it turns out, Jenik has actually sold the rights to marry Marenka to himself in order to legalize their relationship. However, he neglects to tell Marenka this fact and she feels completely betrayed. She still hasn't heard about the betrothal from Jenik himself so she hasn't completely given up on him. However, she still feels that her dream of living happily ever after has been completely crushed.