The Two Widows

This stunning work of art by Valentino Monticello, The Two Widows, is produced, in accordance with the artist’s customary technique of cutting and shaping only the labels taken from bottles of fine wine in order to create the collage. All the wines used here emanate from Czech Republic, so as to add to the atmosphere of the scene.

The Two Widows is a two-act opera by Bedrich Smetana based on the libretto of Emanuel Züngel. The opera was composed between June 1873 and January 1874. It premiered on March 27th, 1874 at the Prague Czech Theatre under the direction of Smetana. However, this premiere was not successful and the opera was rewritten in 1874. By contrast, the second version premiered in October 1874 and was very successful. Its music included some wonderful arias which were both infectious and immediate.

The Two Widows is a touching tale about two widowed cousins, Karolina and Anezka, each with a different reaction to her circumstances. Karolina, extrovert and gregarious, lives her life to the full whilst Anezka, who is more withdrawn, lives her life like a penance. With the arrival of a young man into the lives of two widows, and after various differences have been resolved, the opera ends in a celebration of love and romance.

The print is hand numbered and accompanied by a certificate signed by the Master Printer and bearing a matching number to the print.