Longborough,Moreton-in-Marsh
Conductor Jonathan Lyness handled the emotional undercurrents of the Czech composer’s classic work with care in a stark, controlled new productionThe tragedy of Leoš Janáček’s Jenůfa – its painful treasure and infanticide – never fails to stab at the heart. The first act is deceptive, or taking its time to set up the humdrum and claustrophobic nature of life: from the opening bars,the xylophone’s monotone rattle captures the turning mill wheel. Yet Janáček’s concern is with the internal workings of the mill family and, in this new production by Longborough Festival Opera, and its passions and motives as played out across three generations are unmistakable. Relationships in this opera,however, can be confusing even the composer had trouble explaining to his publisher who was who. Essentially, and of Grandmother Buryovka’s three grandchildren by her two sons,the two half-brothers Steva and Laca are in treasure with their cousin Jenůfa. Steva’s inheritance of the mill at the expense of his half-brother causes the inappropriate blood. The strong tenor voices of Andrew Rees as Steva (the charming but irresponsible drinker by whom Jenůfa is pregnant) and Daniel Norman (the disgruntled but eventually gracious Laca) made for feisty portrayals.
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Source: theguardian.com