And like many other things, this evening not only left the audience cheering, but also something impressive in the history of the work.
Lotte de Beer, who will take over the direction of the Volksoper in the autumn, directed the production. At first glance, their Jenufa looks pretty traditional. But behind all the realistic folklorism, which is allowed to take place unchecked, there is a fine concept of psychological screening.
The very idea of telling the story from the perspective of the sexton who is doing penance in prison brings it close to the literary original – the play “Your foster daughter” by Gabriela Preissova – and thus also to the most intensive version shown that evening of the 1908 opera. It is possible to draw the very different characters finely and at the same time to work through the bigotry of the Catholic Church in relation to sexual morality.
But not only the staging of the story was convincing, almost even more that of the score. Marc Albrecht has done an excellent job here with the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and made Janacek’s music in all its fragility and the logic that results from it completely convincing and almost explosive. In addition, Nina Stemme, who, in her role debut as a sexton, pulls out everything not only in terms of acting, but also musically, which may be created in any way. Her infinite love for her foster child, for whom she even kills, means more than just losing weight.
Aksenova inspires as Jenufa
Svetlana Aksenova is a fantastic Jenufa who makes her misfortune tangibly realistic. Pavol Breslik is that uncouth peasant feschak Steva, who turns Jenufa’s head and then abandons her with her child. Pavel Cernoch (Laca) changes from jealous stepbrother to love-giving savior. Both are great cast. Also impressive are Hanna Schwarz as old Burya and Valentina Petraeva as Karolka.
The rest of the ensemble and the always dazzling Arnold Schönberg Choir complemented the perfect team.
Source: Nachrichten
