Tim Ashley [The Guardian, 9 January 2006]
Francesca Zambello’s production of The Bartered Bride caused ructions when it was first seen at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, in 1998. The Opera House was closed for refurbishment at the time. Zambello, anxious to provide the itinerant Royal Opera with a popular family show, approached Smetana’s great comedy as if it were a Broadway musical, coming up with a big, rather gaudy entertainment that fell singularly short when it came to exploring the opera’s emotional depths.