Katya Kabanova (Kát'a Kabanova), a three-act tragic opera by Czech composer Leos Janácek: Plot synopsis, character description, and other Janácek opera information.

Katya Kabanova (Kát'a Kabanova), is a tragic opera in three acts composed by Leos Janácek (1854-1928) in Czech language. Libretto is by Vincenc Cervinka based on the play "The Storm" (Goza) by A.N. Ostrovsky. It was first performed in Brno, Brno Theater, November 23, 1921. The setting is Kalinov, a town on the Volga in Russia, in the 1860s.

Katya Kabanova (Kát'a Kabanova) is a typical Russian story in setting and mood as it revolves on the tragic character Katya - first, loves a married man, and second, commits suicide from a broken heart.

If we are familiar with Janácek's love life, we can think of Katya, pure and tender, perhaps like his own love, Kamila Stosslova, in whom he fell deeply in love but his affections remained unrequited. Janacek's opera is well praised in its mature development of character, with unhappiness expressed in painful realism.

Interestingly, Leos Janácek, a longtime admirer of Puccini, parallels his character Katya to Puccini's Madama Butterfly, in which broken hearted Cio Cio San also prefers to commit suicide than live in shame.

The Main Characters in Katya Kabanova(Káta Kova):

• Katerina (Katya) Kabanova, an unhappy married woman (soprano)
• Tichon Kabanov, her husband (tenor)
• Marfa Kabanova (Kabanicha), Tichon's mother (contralto)
• Boris Grigorjevic, Katya's lover (tenor)
• Savel Prokofjevic Dikoj, Boris's uncle (bass)
• Varvara, Kabanicha's foster daughter (mezzo-soprano)
• Vana Kurjas, Varvara's lover (tenor)

Basic plot summary of Katya Kabanova:

Act 1

Park on the back of the Volga.

Kudrjás sees Dikoj bullying his nephew, Boris and asks him why he lets his uncle do it to him. Boris explains that his uncle controls his and his sister's inheritance. Boris is in love with Katya, who unfortunately is married to Tichon. Kabanicha, Tichon's mother, thinks that Katya is having an affair.

Act 2

A workroom in the house.

Katya confesses to Varvara that she loves another man, insisting however, that she will not see him.

As Varvara prepares to rendezvous with Kudrjas, Varvara gives the duplicated key to the garden to Katya. After struggling with herself, Katya goes out to see Boris justifying that it's not a sin to talk to Boris. Dikoj visits Kabanicha.

Boris comes to the Kabanov garden to meet Katya, and finds Kudrjas. He convinces Boris that such an affair is dangerous. Varvara goes off with Kudrjas. Katya, although guilty for loving Boris, embraces him.

Act 3

A ruined building by the Volga.

Kudrjas takes shelter from the storm. Dikoj and others join them. Varvara tells Boris that Katya's husband Tichon has returned and Katya's guilt overwhelms her.

When Tichon and Kabanicha arrive, Katya confesses everything to Tichon. Kabanicha demands her lover's identity. Katya blurts it out. Boris is ordered by his uncle to leave town. Katya is devastated from the turn of events. She leaps into the Volga. Dikoj brings in Katya's body. Tichon blames his mother for what happened. Kabanicha doesn't care.

Leo Jánacek's Other Operas

• Jenufa, began 1896 and staged in Brno in 1904
• Mr. Broucek's Excursion to the Moon, satirical opera, 1920
• The Cunning Little Vixen (Prihody lisky bystriusky), 1923
• The Makropoulos Affair, 1926
• From the House of the Dead, 1927

Sources:

Opera, Dorling Kindersley (DK) Eyewitness Companions (2006)

The Harrap Opera Guide by Sir Alexander Morley (1970)