Leoš Janáček (1854-1928)
Jenůfa, opera in three acts (1904)
Jenůfa – Asmik Grigorian (soprano)
Kostelnička Buryjovka – Karita Mattila (soprano)
Grandmother Buryjovka – Elena Zilo (contralto)
Števa Burya - Saimir Pirgu (tenor)
Laca Klemen – Nicky Spence (tenor)
Royal Opera Orchestra/Henrik Nánási
rec. live, October 2021, Covent Garden, London
Details of cast and production beneath review
OPUS ARTE OA1351D DVD [136]
The libretto of Leoš Janáček’s third opera Jenůfa was based the play Její pastorkyňa (Her Stepdaughter) by Gabriela Preissova, and was the first of his stage works to achieve success in 1904 at Brno. It
was twelve years before the opera was staged at the Prague National Theatre, but it triumphed in Vienna after Czechoslovakia had won independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Sir Charles MacKerras became a champion of Janáček’s music when he studied in Prague with the great conductor Václav Talich and introduced it to audiences in the United Kingdom. I remember an excellent production of this opera with Scottish Opera under Sir Alexander Gibson that fully conveyed the darkness of this human tragedy. Several of Janáček’s operas portray the social oppression of women in village life in Moravia in the nineteenth century. Janáček’s music is inter-twined with Moravian folk songs infused into Czech song in a unique style which he called ‘sčasovka’. His biographer John Tyrell describes his unusual approach as ‘tiny swift motifs’ that occur through his phrasing so as to ‘pepper the musical flow.’
Claus Guth’s production presents a bleak setting of women working in a wool mill under the supervision of the fearsome figure of the domineering Grandmother Buryjovka, attired in sleek black and armed with a whip. The second act scene is of a small cage in the centre stage holding Jenůfa and Kostelnička, and in the third act, we see a darkened stage with the drama of the wedding acting as the axis of the dramatic finale. James Farncombe’s stage lighting concept ranges between darkness and bright light, and throughout the second act the women are dressed in sinister black costumes as the tragedy of Kostelnička’s crime unfolds. The darkly veiled tragic symbolism of the production is stunning and serves to illuminate the music and singing perfectly. At one point, a great raven adds to the darkness of the atmosphere. The costumes designed by Gesine Vollm fully support the director’s concept. Only in the wedding dance is a touch of colour and gaiety seen.
Karita Mattila sensitive singing of Kostelnička and her great stage presence make her the star of this performance, but the Jenůfa of Asmik Grigorian reveals her as a major future star, and while there are few splendours in Janacek’s vocal writing, her ‘Jenůfa’s prayer’ aria underscores her outstanding talents, accentuated by her magnificent characterisation. Nicky Spence’s portrayal of Laca is outstanding; at one stage he plays the village buffoon and later a gracious gentleman. His rival Števa is interpreted in masterly fashion by Saimir Pirgu especially in his depiction of him as first a tipsy factory owner then an arrogant young tyrant. The secondary roles, especially the Grandmother Buryjovka of Elena Ziljo, are well performed. The composer’s intense and colourful score is superbly performed by the Covent Garden Opera Orchestra under the direction of Henrik Nánási here making his debut. The sole alternative on DVD is on Opus Arte with Amanda Roocroft in the title role in Stéphane Braunschweig’s 2009 production conducted by Ivor Bolton at the Teatro Royale in Madrid. This new Covent Garden production offers superlative world class singing in a truthful and powerful representation of Janáček’s masterpiece.
Gregor Tassie
Other Cast:
Jana – Yaritza Veliz (soprano)
Foreman – David Stout (baritone)
Barena – April Koyejo-Audiger (soprano)
Herdswoman – Angela Simkin (soprano)
Mayor – Jeremy White (bass)
Mayor’s Wife – Helene Schneiderman (mezzo soprano)
Karolka – Jacquelin Stucker (mezzo soprano)
Tetka – Renat Skarelyte (soprano)
Voices – Marianne Cotterill and Thomas Barnard
Royal Opera Chorus/William Spaulding
Production:
Designer – Michael Levine
Costumes – Gesine Vollm
Lighting – James Farncombe
Choreographer – Teresa Rotemberg
Director – Claus Guth
Video details:
Directed for the screen by Rhodri Huw
Recorded and mastered for DVD in stereo and Surround Sound
Audio formats: LPCM 2.0/DTS 16.9 Anamorphic
NTSC - All regions
Extra feature directed by Josue Garcia: Introduction to Jenůfa by Elle Osili-Wood and Claus Guth, cast gallery
Sung in Czech; subtitles in English, French, German, Japanese, Korean
Booklet notes; synopsis and cast list in English
Published: October 19, 2022
