LEOS JANACEK

 

Jenufa, her step-daughter (Brno version)

 

Jenufa, Janacek’s first theatrical masterpiece, is the tragedy of two women – Jenufa, the vain and impulsive young rural beauty, and Kostelnicka, her severe, religious and forceful stepmother – entwined in the consequences of their emotions. The work is based on a story by Gabriela Preissova, whose short stories and dramas of Moravian village life were among the first Czechoslovakian works of ‘kitchen sink’ realism and the story on which Jenufa is based, Her Foster-daughter, caused something of a scandal when it was first published in 1890.  It is a grim tale of Jenufa, a village girl whose illegitimate child is murdered by her stepmother to protect Jenufa’s honour and wedding prospects.   Janacek was a late developer and was already in his early forties when he began work on the opera.   Eight years elapsed between the writing of the first and second acts.  There are still hints of traditional romantic opera in the early scenes, though Janacek’s unique musical world is apparent from the opening bars.  By the time the curtain opens on the second act, however, there is no doubt that we are in the presence of a theatrical

 

Sir Charles Mackerras’s recording of Osud, also available on the Opera in English label, is a classic account:  ‘Sir Charles Mackerras’s conducting in this Welsh National Opera recording confirms the (score’s) musical strength… this fine recording in English brings out its winning warmth…’

The Guardian

‘Sir Charles Mackerras wins playing from the

orchestra that is indeed incandescent.’

 

Reviews

 

Libretto by the composer after Gabriela Preissova’s play Jeji pastorkyna

 

Grandmother Buryja, retired mill owner ................................Elizabeth Vaughan mezzo-soprano

Laca Klemen                                    ...............................Nigel Robson tenor

Steva Buryja }stepbrothers, her grandsons    .......................Peter Wedd tenor

The Kostelnicka, Grandmother Buryja’s daughter-in-law       ....Dame Josephine Barstow soprano

Jenufa, the Kostelnicka’s foster-daughter ............................Janice Watson soprano

Foreman at the mill...........................................................Neal Davies baritone

Mayor of the village .........................................................Alan Fairs bass

Mayor’s wife ...................................................................Marion McCullough mezzo-soprano

Karolka, their daughter .....................................................Charlotte Ellett soprano

Jano, shepherd boy .........................................................Claire Hampton soprano

Barena, servant at the mill ................................................Rosie Hay soprano

Herdswoman...................................................................Imelda Drumm mezzo-soprano

Aunt ............................................................................Sarah Pope mezzo-soprano

 

Orchestra & Chorus of Welsh National Opera/ Sir Charles Mackerras

 

Chandos Opera in English 2cds CHAN3106