It says a lot for Janácek's growing presence in the operatic mainstream that Jenufa, which waited more than a decade for its "big city" premiere in Prague, and which existed for many years only in an edited and re-orchestrated version by Karel Kovarovic, now has multiple recordings using the original score -- and good ones, at that. This live recording from Covent Garden is truly wonderful, and it joins Charles Mackerras' 1982 recording of his own re-construction as a first choice for anyone interested in the work. Karita ...
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It says a lot for Janácek's growing presence in the operatic mainstream that Jenufa, which waited more than a decade for its "big city" premiere in Prague, and which existed for many years only in an edited and re-orchestrated version by Karel Kovarovic, now has multiple recordings using the original score -- and good ones, at that. This live recording from Covent Garden is truly wonderful, and it joins Charles Mackerras' 1982 recording of his own re-construction as a first choice for anyone interested in the work. Karita Mattila shines in the title role, exploiting every brief moment of lyricism that emerges from Janácek's speech-inflected score. Her suffering and betrayal at the hands of her family, and her eventual forgiveness of those hurts, is extremely moving. Jorma Silvasti is similarly believable as the jealous and rueful Laca. Although the bloom is gone from her voice, Anja Silja is perfectly cast as Jenufa's stepmother; her genuine shame and despair at her murder of Jenufa's child allows...
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