Leos Janacek Opera Jenufa

Czech Tragic Drama in Three Acts

Jul 18, 2008

Jenufa, a Czech tragic opera by composer Leos Janácek: plot synopsis, character description, and other Janácek opera information.

Leos Janácek (July 3, 1854 – August 12, 1928) composed Jenufa, a three-act Czech tragic opera. Libretto was written by himself in Czech, based on the play "Její pastorkyna" (Her Stepdaughter) by Gabriela Preissová. It was premiered in Brno, National Theater, January 21, 1904. The setting is Moravia in the 19th century. Revised version premiered in Prague, May 26, 1916.

Opera Jenufa sadly reverberates into the life of composer Leo Janácek. Having lost his infant son, his 21-year-old daughter also died while he was composing it. He vowed to tie the score with black ribbons. This opera was ten years in the making (1894-1903.) It includes folk dances and choruses, depicting village life. The tragic part is Kostelnicka's committing murder to save Jenufa.

Basic plot summary of Katya Kabanova

Act 1. Grandmother Buryjovka's Mill

Jenufa prays that her sweetheart, Steva, will not be drafted, concern that they might not be able to marry before her pregnancy is found out. Laca is in love with Jenufa and hopes to prevent her marriage to Steva, but the news comes that Steva was not drafted. Jenufa does not want to join her stepmother, Kostelnicka, inside. Steva arrives, drunk, with the rowdy new recruits and Jenufa reproaches him for drinking. Jenufa begs Steva not to provoke her mother. Laca tries to steal a kiss from Jenufa, but when she struggles, he accidentally slashes her cheek with his knife.

Act 2. Kostelnicka's Front Room

The wound has left a scar on Jenufa's face. Her stepmother was horrified to learn Jenufa was pregnant. They pretended that Jenufa was away during her confinement, but she has now given brith to a little boy. Kostelnicka laments that she has to marry Jenufa to the worthless Steva. Steva never asked about Jenufa during her confinement, but Kostelnicka has called him to the house to settle things.

Kostelnicka begs Steva to marry Jenufa but with her beauty ruined, Steva no longer loves her. He offers to support the baby if the secret is kept, and he plans to marry Karolka. Laca asks Kostelnick if he can marry Jenufa. She tells him the whole story but says the baby died. Kostelnicka resolves to kill the baby. Jenufa wakes. When she cannot find her stepmother or her baby, she gets worried. Kostelnicka returns and tells Jenufa that the baby died of fever. She recounts her interview with Steva. Jenufa agrees to marry Laca.

Act 3. Kostelnicka's Front Room

The mayor and his wife arrive. Jenufa is grateful that Laca stood by her when Steva did not. Laca, still feeling guilty at having slashed her cheek, admits he only made peace with Steva because Jenufa insisted. Steva and Karolka wish the bride and bridegroom well. The village girls bring flowers. The mayor blesses the couple. A village boy announces that a baby has been found frozen in the ice and found in the mill-stream. Jenufa recognizes the baby as her own. Hysterical, she ignores Laca's warming that people are listening. People accuse Jenufa of murdering the baby, but Laca defends her. Kostelnicka confesses she was the murderer. Karolka is horrified and breaks off her engagement to Steva. Jenufa and her grandmother comfort Kostelnicka before she is led away. Jenufa tries to send Laca away for his own sake, but he will not go. He still wants to marry Jenufa. The lovers embrace.

Leo Jánacek's Other Operas

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