Jenufa

Jenůfa, a young woman living in a remote rural village, is pregnant, though as yet unmarried. Her stern stepmother, worried for the family’s reputation and her own status as the leader of their village, hides Jenůfa away to bear her child. Months later, the river thaws and a gruesome secret is uncovered. Suspicion falls immediately on Jenůfa, but the truth will out. Read more …

Drawing its audience into a claustrophobic community that is universally recognisable, Jenůfa has been keeping audiences on the edge of their seats for over 100 years. The creative team behind 2012’s sell-out tour of La traviata returns to Scottish Opera to bring Janáček’s masterpiece to life, promising a beautifully observed production that makes full use of their extensive narrative gifts.

Inspired by traditional folk melodies and with colourful orchestration and rhythmic bite, the score sweeps the story along with tension, drama and overwhelming emotion. Scottish soprano Lee Bisset, lauded for her Kátya at Longborough Festival in 2012, is Jenůfa, alongside an international cast including former Royal Opera House principal Peter Wedd and celebrated British soprano Kathryn Harries. Janáček specialist Stuart Stratford conducts.

More information on this production is available at www.scottishopera.org.uk.

The critical consensus

This is a production Scottish Opera can be proud of, even if the tepid parting shot from the leading couple is to pour a cup of tea. Mrs Doyle would approve.

(*) Ken Walton, The Scotsman, 08/04/2015