Cadie J. Bryan & John Matthew Myers Chime in on Joining Bard Summerscapes’ ‘Dalibor’
By David Salazar(Photo credit: Jiyang Chen / Daniel Welch)
Bard Summerscape’s hotly anticipated production of “Dalibor” is just one week away.
Opening on July 25, 2025 and running through August 3, the Smetana opera, which had its world premiere in 1868 in Prague, will be receiving its first fully-staged American production. The opera follows the story of the eponymous knight who is arrested and brought to trial for having murdered the military governor of Ploskovice. Meanwhile, Milada, the governor’s sister realizes that she is in love with Dalibor and does her utmost to rescue him, going so far as to disguise herself as a boy and then, when her initial plan fails, raiding the castle and freeing him. The opera definitely echoes a lot of plot ideas of Beethoven’s “Fidelio,” but unlike that work, which ends in triumph and celebration, “Dalibor” ends in tragedy.
The production, which was among the headliners of Bardsummerscape’s 2025 season, which was shining a spotlight on Czech composer Martinů and his contemporaries, ran into issues in recent months due to visa requirements from some of its artists, namely Ladislav Elgr and Izabela Matuła, who were scheduled to take on the roles of Dalibor and Milada, respectively. To that effect, John Matthew Myers and Cadie J. Bryan were brought on to take on the two leads.
Both singers are new to the opera.
“Cadie Bryan was hired as a cover, but from the very first day, it was clear she commanded the role and was ready to take the stage,” conductor Leon Botstein told OperaWire regarding the cast change. “She knew the music and text, and immediately shaped the roled of Milada with intelligence and intensity. She displayed a consummate professionalism and artistry, and earned the right to join the cast. It is a pleasure for all of us to work with her.
“I’ve never learned a role so quickly—or fallen for one so fast,” Bryan added.
Regarding Myers, Botstein noted that “We were fortunate to be able to recruit John Matthew Myers, a formidable artist, to sing Dalibor. I’ve admired his work. We collaborated on ‘Guntram’ at Carnegie Hall recently. It is a joy to make music with him again.”
“Smetana’s ‘Dalibor’ is a piece I knew by name but had never heard or experienced, so getting the chance to dive into this world has been exhilarating,” Myers added. “I’ve always had an affinity for the Slavic repertoire and it has been a treat to explore this sumptuous composition.
They join a cast that also includes Terrence Chin-Loy, Eric Greene, Erica Petrocelli, Alfred Walker, and Wei Wu.
Directing the opera will be Jean-Romain Vesperini, who has led productions in Paris, Hong Kong, and Moscow. Leon Botstein conducts.
“The room, led by Leon and Jean-Romain, has been electric. Both are so committed to telling this story with clarity and heart, and it’s been a joy to explore this beautiful, underperformed gem with such thoughtful, passionate collaborators,” Bryan added.
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