Janácek's poignant opera Jenufa

Patrick Lange conducts the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, the Groot Omroepkoor and an international cast of soloists in Leoš Janácek's moving opera Jenufa.

The naturalism of Jenufa

Perhaps one of the most poignant operas is Leoš Janácek's Jenufa, but with its naturalistic depiction of Moravian rural life, it never becomes sentimental or melodramatic. For ten years, from 1894 to 1904, the Czech composer worked on this heartbreaking work, and it paved the way for a musically dramatic oeuvre that he realised in the second half of his life.

Leading roles for Lise Davidsen and Claude Eichenberger

In 1890 Gabriela Preissová wrote the play Her Foster Daughter. It is about the sextoness Buryjovka, who takes care of the girl Jenufa. Jenufa is impregnated by her beautiful stepbrother Števa. When he refuses to marry her, the tragic story unfolds. Janácek wrote symphonic music that is sometimes obstinately rhythmical, sometimes lyrically meandering, while the Bohemian and Moravian traditions regularly seep through the notes. The carrying lyrical soprano role of Jenufa (Lise Davidsen) is compelling, but the character role of the sextoness, a dramatic soprano (Claude Eichenberger), cuts through bone, especially given the deadly dilemmas she faces.

This concert will be performed without an audience. Live broadcast can be heard on NPO Radio 4. Live webcast via Radio 4.nl.