When to see it
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These events are part of the Winter 2018/19 season.
The Story
Kát’a is unhappily married to Tichon Kabanov, and tormented by his bullying mother Kabanicha. Her young neighbour Boris is equally tormented by his tyrannical uncle Dikoj.
Read more… (Contains spoilers)
Background
Kát’a Kabanová combines Janácek's distinctive 'speech melodies' that highlight the inflections of Czech speech with episodes of passionate lyricism and melodic beauty such as Kudrjáš and Varvara's playful folksongs, Kát’a 's ecstatic Act I monologue and her tender encounters with Boris. The score also contains many orchestral glories, including the brooding Prelude and Act III's terrifying storm. Richard Jones's production places Kát’a within a repressive and remote 20th-century community, whose small-town attitudes provoke isolation.
Kát’a Kabanová was inspired by Alexander Ostrovsky's play The Thunderstorm, a social critique of Russia's merchant class. It was part of a remarkable 'late flowering' for Janácek that also included three further operas, the Sinfonietta, two string quartets and the Glagolitic Mass. Like Janácek's earlier Jenufa, Katya is particularly noteworthy for the composer's thoughtful and sympathetic portrayal of his heroine.
News and features
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Your Reaction: What did you think of The Royal Opera's Katya Kabanova?
5 February 2019
Audience and press reactions to Richard Jones's new production of Janácek's opera.
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Royal Opera House 2018/19 Season announced
20 March 2018
The Royal Ballet and Royal Opera's programme for the coming Season include world premieres, major new productions and classic revivals.