JENŮFA (Janáček Brno 2024)

ABOUT

One of Janáček’s most famous operas, Jenůfa (or also Her Stepdaughter), tells the story of two women who try to find a way to resolve a difficult situation in a ruthless environment: Jenůfa got pregnant with the irresponsible Števa, who does not want to marry her. Her stepmother, Kostelnička, in an environment where single mothers find it hard to survive and which does not favour women, decides to do something that will change Jenůfa’s fate once and for all. Janáček’s dark opera drama, whose libretto was written by the composer himself based on a play by Gabriela Preissová, was already a source of controversy at the time of its performance. How is it today? How do we treat women in similar situations? Do they get support or do we just look sympathetic but secretly think it’s their own fault? Do we all still believe that the happiest time is supposed to come after childbirth? The production by Veronika Kos Loulová and the all-female production team brings an engaging narrative from the perspective of women who have something to say to the story.

Vilma Bořkovec

Creatives & cast

Author: Leoš Janáček

Conductor: Anna Novotná Pešková

Director: Veronika Kos Loulová

Ensemble: Moravian Theatre Olomouc

Co-production: Janáček Opera of the National Theatre Brno

The production is produced in cooperation with the organization Úsměv mámy