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Káťa Kabanová

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Káťa Kabanová
Opera by Leoš Janáček
Poster for the premiere
LibrettistVincenc Červinka [cs]
LanguageCzech
Based onThe Storm
by Alexander Ostrovsky
Premiere
23 November 1921 (1921-11-23)
National Theatre Brno

Káťa Kabanová (also known in various spellings including Katia, Katja, Katya, and Kabanowa) is an opera in three acts, with music by Leoš Janáček to a libretto by the composer based on The Storm, a play by Alexander Ostrovsky, translated by Vincenc Červinka [cs]. The opera was also largely inspired by Janáček's love for Kamila Stösslová. Although he was 67 when it was premiered, Káťa Kabanová is a clear response to Janáček's feelings for Kamila, and the work is dedicated to her. The first performance was at the National Theatre Brno on 23 November 1921.

The opera has had a complex publication history. František Neumann, the conductor of the opera's first performance, made changes that were incorporated into the first publication of the score in 1922 by Universal Edition. Conductor Václav Talich later produced a "re-orchestrated" version of the score. In 1992, Sir Charles Mackerras published a critical edition of the opera.[1]

Roles

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Note: The name of the opera and the main character is usually transliterated in English as Káta, Kata or Katya because of the Czech diacritics.

Roles, voice types, premiere cast
Role Voice type Premiere cast, 23 November 1921
Conductor: František Neumann
Savël Prokofjevic Dikój, a merchant bass Rudolf Kaulfus
Boris Grigorjevič, Dikój's nephew tenor Karel Zavřel
Marfa Ignatěvna Kabanová (Kabanicha), widow of a rich merchant contralto Marie Hladíková
Tichon Ivanyč Kabanov, her son tenor Pavel Jeral
Káťa (Katerina), Tichon's wife soprano Marie Veselá
Váňa Kudrjaš, a schoolteacher tenor Valentin Šindler [cs]
Varvara, a foundling mezzo-soprano Jarmila Pustinská
Kuligin, friend of Vána Kudrjaš baritone René Milan
Glaša, a servant mezzo-soprano Lidka Šebestlová
Fekluša, a servant mezzo-soprano Ludmila Kvapilová(-Kudláčková)
Žena (Woman) Ružena Horká
Rybář (Fisherman) Václav Šindler
Opilec (Drunkard) Josef Tupý
Male and female citizens

Synopsis

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Place: The Russian town of Kalinov on the shores of the Volga River
Time: The 1860s

Act 1

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Vána Kudrjás admires the view of the Volga River, which amuses the more literal-minded housekeeper of the adjoining Kabanov estate. Two men approach, Dikoj and his nephew, Boris Grigorjevic, where Dikoj is berating Boris. Dikoj learns that Kabanicha, the Kabanov family matriarch, is not at home. Dikoj leaves, and Boris explains to Vána Kudrjás why he tolerates the abuse: his parents are dead, and to be able to collect his inheritance, he must respect his uncle no matter what his uncle says to him. Boris also tells Vána Kudrjás that he is secretly in love with Káťa, the young wife of Tichon. Káťa appears and Kabanicha reproaches her son Tichon – Kata's husband – for his inattentiveness. Tichon and Káťa try to calm her down, but Kabanicha will have none of it, telling Tichon that he spoils Káťa. Tichon complains to Varvara, the family's foster daughter, who rebukes him for retreating into drinking more than defending Káťa.

In the house, Káťa tells Varvara of her happy childhood, and dreams of having a man who truly loves her. Tichon enters to say good-bye, as he is journeying to Kazan on business, for Kabanicha. Káťa asks to accompany him or for him not to go, but he insists. Káťa then asks him to make her swear an oath to speak to no strangers during his absence, which puzzles Tichon. Kabanicha announces that Tichon must go, but not before instructing Káťa how to behave in his absence. Tichon dutifully says that Káťa must treat Kabanicha like her own mother and always act properly. He bows to Kabanicha and kisses her and Kát'a before he departs.

Act 2

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The women are working on embroidery. Kabanicha criticizes Káťa for not appearing more sorrowful at Tichon's absence. After Kabanicha leaves, Varvara shows Káťa the key to the far part of the garden. Varvara intends to meet Vána, her lover, there. She hints at the same suggestion for Káťa, and puts the key in her hand. Káťa is hesitant, but then surrenders to fate and will meet Boris. She steps outside as evening comes on. Kabanicha reappears with Dikoj, who is drunk and complaining that people take advantage of his softhearted nature. However, Kabanicha chastises him.

Vána Kudrjás is waiting for Varvara in the garden. Boris then unexpectedly appears, after receiving a message to go there. Varvara arrives, and she and Vána go for a walk by the river. Káťa then appears, and Boris declares his love for her. She is at first worried about social ruin, but finally she reciprocates, confessing her secret feelings for him. They embrace and they too leave for a walk. Vána and Varvara return, as she explains her precautions should Kabanicha suddenly appear. Káťa and Boris are heard in wordless, ecstatic duet as Vána and Varvara say that it is time to return home.

Act 3

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Ten days later

Vána Kudrjás and Kuligin are strolling near the river when an approaching storm causes them to take shelter in a ruined building. Other people join them, including Dikoj. Vána tries to calm Dikoj with scientific explanations about a new invention, the lightning rod. However, this only angers Dikoj, who insists that lightning is not caused by electricity but is the punishment from God. The rain dies down, and people start to leave the shelter. Vána meets Boris and Varvara. Varvara says that Tichon has returned, and Káťa is very agitated. Kabanicha arrives with Tichon and Káťa. The storm returns, and people assume initially that this is what upsets Káťa. However, she confesses to Tichon in front of everyone her assignation with Boris during her husband's absence. Then she runs out into the storm.

Evening approaches after the storm has ended. Tichon and a search party are looking for Káťa. At first among the party, Varvara and Vána then decide to leave the village for Moscow and start a new life. They leave, and as the searchers continue, Káťa appears. She knows that her confession has dishonoured her and humiliated Boris. She feels tormented and wants to meet Boris one more time. Boris appears and sees her, and the two embrace. Boris says that his uncle is sending him away to another town, but asks her what will become of her. As her sanity deteriorates, she first begs him to be allowed to accompany him, then insists that she could not and bids him farewell; he leaves in sorrow. After thinking of how nature will continue to flourish over her grave, Káťa throws herself into the river. Kuligin sees this from the far bank and calls for help. Tichon appears, followed by Kabanicha. Tichon tries to help Káťa but is restrained by Kabanicha; he blames her for Káťa's suicide. Dikoj appears with Káťa's body and lays her on the ground. Tichon cries over the body as, without any emotion, Kabanicha thanks the bystanders—or, as often done, the audience—for their help.

Recordings

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Audio

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Video

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References

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Notes

  1. ^ Wingfield, Paul, "Reviews of Music" (review of Universal Edition of Kát'a Kabanová, prepared by Charles Mackerras) (May 1994). Music & Letters, 75 (2): pp. 319–321.
  2. ^ Tim Ashley, Review of Káťa Kabanová, Salzburg, 2022, Gramophone, October 2023, pp. 116–117.

Further reading

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  • Holden, Amanda (Ed.), The New Penguin Opera Guide, New York: Penguin Putnam, 2001. ISBN 0-14-029312-4
  • Tyrrell, John. Leoš Janáček: Kát’a Kabanová in The Cambridge Opera Handbook, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982 ISBN 0-521-23180-9.
  • Tyrrell, John. Janáček: Years of a Life, London: Faber and Faber, 2006/7
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