Janácek From the House of the Dead

Plot Synopsis and Character Description of Tragic Czech Drama

Oct 29, 2008

From the House of the Dead (Z Mrtveho Domu), a Czech opera by Janácek. Opera plot synopsis, character list, and other opera information.

The opera From the House of the Dead (Z Mrtveho Domu) is a 3-act tragic drama in Czech language composed by Leoš Janácek (July 3, 1854-August 12, 1928). It is based on "Memoirs from the House of the Dead" by Fyodor Dostoevsky. It was premiered in Brno, National Theatre, on April 12, 1930. The setting is 19th century Russia.

Notable Arias: Luka's story (Luka), Skuratov's story (Skuratov), Sapkin's story (Sapkin)

From the Dead of the House is Janácek's final and darkest opera. Most of the dramatic action is in the form of stories told by the individual prisoners. It is adapted by Janácek from Dostoyevsky's autobiographical evocation of Siberian prison life, Notes From the House of the Dead, and composed in the late 1920's.

It is short, about two hours including an intermission, but it attracts from its brilliant instrumentation. Music is original, keyed to Czech speech patterns.

Characters Roles

Overture

Act I

In a prison courtyard, Russian Penal Colony on the Irtish River, the prisoners are washing themselves and fighting. Gorjancikov, an aristocrat who has been taken as a political prisoner for dissenting, is brought in and the commandant lashes him for talking back. The prisoners are gathered together, Luka tells how he knifed the governor of Ukraine.

Act II

At the bank of the Irtish River, Gorjancikov promises to tutor Aljeja to read. Skuratov tells his story: He loved a German girl, Luisa, but her parents wanted her to marry a rich, old relation. Overcome with jealousy, Skuratov shot his rival. Some of the prisoners perform an opera (Don Juana) and a pantominme (The Fair Miller's Wife) for the other inmates.

Act III

Scene 1. The Prison Hospital. Many of the other prisoners are sick. Luka abuses Cekunov for serving Gorjancikov. Sapkin complains about having his ears pulled by the police. Skuratov admits he shot Luisa's fiance. Siskov tells his own story: A certain Filka Morozov bragged about sleeping with Akulina, a rich merchant's daughter.

However, he refused to marry her and to erase the dishonor, Akulina's family married her to the drunken Siskov. On the wedding night, Siskov discovered that Akulina was still a virgin. He confronted Filka, who told Siskov he was too drunk to know whether she is or not.

Infuriated by the situation, Siskov beat Akulina. Filka joined the army, but before leaving, he publicly admitted that Akulina was pure. Akulaina bragged to Siskov that she loved Filka, so Siskov murdered her. When Siskov finishes his story, someone notices that one of the prisoners has died. Siskov looks at the corpse and recognizes it as Filka.

Scene 2. The Prison Courtyard. Following orders, the commandant sets Gojancikov free. The prisoners free their pet eagle and Gorjancikov takes leave of Aljeja.

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