Jenufa Tickets at The Royal Opera – London

Venue Royal Opera House, London
Performance dates Booking to 1 February 2025
Running time 2 hours 55 minutes (including two intervals)
Age guidelines 12+

Jakub Hruša conducts Claus Guth’s Olivier award-winning production of Janáček’s Jenůfa. A gripping opera of shame, betrayal and redemption.

Jenůfa is pregnant but her stepmother wants a different life for her – and will pursue it at any cost. Good intentions turn to unforgiveable deeds in this gripping opera of shame, betrayal and redemption.

Experience this Olivier award-winning production of Janáček’s opera, with a stylish and stark set design. The score combines toe-tapping folk tunes, lively choruses and intense drama. The beauty of the music belies a story that retains its ability to shock, 120 years after its first performance.

Background

Corinne Winters (Jenůfa) and Karita Mattila (the Kostelnička) lead in Janáček’s evocative opera with a score that is infused with traditional folk melodies of the composer’s native Moravia. Music Director Designate Jakub Hruša conducts Claus Guth’s staging which is an ‘edgy, evocative’ (Telegraph) take on this poignant domestic drama.

The music of Jenůfa

Janáček’s folk-inspired music movingly captures Jenůfa’s progression from hope to despair to eventual radiant happiness, while her stepmother, the Kostelnička, is one of opera’s most complex maternal figures. Writer Nigel Simeone describes the unique structure of Janáček’s stirring music as such: ‘Every character has his or her own musical language, and Janáček sets down a pattern that will serve him for all of his mature operas. A theme, often as short as four notes, dominates each scene [of the opera] but then gives way to another, equally memorable’.

What is a Kostelnička?

Jenůfa’s stepmother is referred throughout Janáček’s opera as ‘the Kostelnička’, a title given to a village church-warden or elder. Initially presenting as a strong matriarch who is fiercely protective of Jenůfa, the Kostelnička has one of the more dramatic – and dark – character transformations across opera. As Jenůfa’s future is turned increasingly precarious by her illegitimate child, the Kostelnička’s maternal instinct morphs into obsessive determination… In a small, stifling community, how far must a mother go to protect her child?

Jenufa runs from 15 January 2025 until 1 February 2025 at The Royal Opera House in London

Jenůfa is keeping secret from everyone that she is pregnant by Števa, whom she loves despite his drinking and womanising. Jenůfa’s stepmother, the Kostelnička, had a violent, alcoholic husband and tells Števa he won’t be allowed to marry Jenůfa unless he stays sober for a year. Števa’s overbearing behaviour towards Jenůfa angers Laca, who loves Jenůfa and is jealous. When Jenůfa defends Števa, Laca becomes enraged. They struggle and he slashes her face with a knife.

Months later, the Kostelnička and Jenůfa conspire to keep the birth of Jenůfa’s illegitimate baby secret. Števa knows he has a son, but refuses to marry Jenůfa now her face is disfigured. Laca offers to save Jenůfa’s reputation and marry her, but is reluctant to take on Števa’s child. The Kostelnička tells both Laca and Jenůfa that the baby died while Jenůfa slept. But on Jenůfa’s wedding day the terrible truth is revealed.

Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of Jenufa?

Corinne Winters as Jenůfa and Karita Mattila as the Kostelnička.

Who are the creative team of Jenufa?

Music by Leoš Janáček, libretto by Leoš Janáček. Directed by Claus Guth with set design by Michael Levine and costumes by Gesine Völlm. Lighting design by James Farncombe, choreography by Teresa Rotemberg, and video design by rocafilm. Dramaturgy by Yvonne Gebauer.

Important Notes

Language: Sung in Czech with English surtitles. Captions and translations in English will be displayed on screens above the stage and around the auditorium.