Bedrich Smetana's exuberant and iconic Czech opera, The Bartered Bride, enjoys a triumphant return at Glyndebourne this summer.

Nikolaus Lehnhoff returns to direct this revival of his production, first seen in 1999, with designs by Tobias Hoheisel, lighting by Hugh Vanstone and choreography by Denni Sayers.

First performed in 1866 and amended in 1870, Smetana's opera was the first Czech opera to go international and was quickly regarded as being integral to the growing demand for Czech independence.

Sometimes known as a "folk opera" because of its reliance on folk tunes and dances, much of the music is based on polka-type rhythms with several slow dances and spoken dialogue.

Most of the singing is in the form of duets, with two stunning solos for soprano and tenor, and there are some wonderful bright and breezy choruses and splendid drinking songs.

Lehnhoff's production is set during the spring thaw of the mid-Sixties, that brief flowering of Czech freedom before the Soviet Union invaded and liberal President Alexander Dubcek was removed.

The story concerns two lovers whose marriage plans seemed thwarted by parental wishes and financial obligations.

There's also the usual operatic trick of a son who has been away in the army and is not recognised on his return.

Lehnhoff's big scene comes in Act III with a visit to the village by a travelling English circus complete with jugglers, fire-eaters, acrobats, clowns, a trapeze artist, a strong man and even an animal act with a small dog which barks on cue.

It's funny, superbly engaging and a hit with the audience.

Norwegian soprano Solveig Kringelborn returns to sing the role of Marenka, here looking like a young Doris Day but with a bewitching and velvety voice at its peak of perfection.

Australian tenor Julian Gavin is her lover Jenik. Gavin is a singer in fine form and I am sure we will be hearing more from him after this, his house debut.

Other members of the cast include Glyndebourne regulars Diana Montague, Andrew Shore and Frances McCafferty. In the pit is the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Dietfried Bernet making a real fun piece and doing sterling work.

This opera will be broadcast on Radio 3 on July 2.

Call 01273 813813 or visit www.glyndebourne.com