In JENŮFA (which was first performed in 1904), Leoš Janáček deployed his Moravian heritage to imbue his prose-written opera with many of the unmistakable folk music themes of his native land. Through Gabriela Preissová’s story, we delve into the harsh realities of a young woman’s existence in a small Czech village community, where rivals for her affections have to contend with her stepmother’s protective nature, spawned from memories of her own violent and alcoholic husband.
Corinne Winters as Jenůfa in Claus Guth's production of Janáček's Jenůfa, The Royal Opera ©2025 Camilla Greenwell
