Stunning new production of Jenufa

Hungarian conductor Henrik Nánási conducts Asmik Grigorian in her much anticipated Royal Opera House debut in the title role.

Award-winning director Claus Guth’s acclaimed production of Jenůfa is a striking representation of an oppressed society ‘infused with heart-warming humanity’ (Evening Standard ★★★★★)

Two courageous women struggle for fulfilment against the backdrop of a claustrophobic rural community. With music inspired by the traditional folk melodies of his native Moravia, Janáček’s score 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.

Hungarian conductor Henrik Nánási conducts Asmik Grigorian in her much anticipated Royal Opera House debut in the title role, alongside Karita Mattila as the Kostelnička and a star cast.

“Claus Guth's production of Janáček's great tragedy transcends its nationalistic origins and makes it a tale about all oppressive society” (The Times ★★★★★)

“In any normal cast Mattila’s decay from rigid authority to howling animal, voice flayed down to sinew and rasp, would set her apart, but here she’s just the disintegrating centre of a flawless ensemble cast – from Elena Zilio’s Grandmother, held together by dignity and black velvet, and Nicky Spence’s profoundly moving Laca, rash and loving and radiantly sung, to Saimir Pirgu’s strutting Steva...And then there’s Asmik Grigorian, the Lithuanian soprano currently dominating every stage she steps onto.” (The Independent ★★★★★)

“Jenůfa makes a triumphant return to Covent Garden” (Bachtrack ★★★★★)

Genre Opera
Production year 2021
Audio format LPCM 2.0 + Dolby Digital 5.1 (DVD) / LPCM 2.0 + DTS-HD Master Audio Surround (Blu-ray)
Stage Director Claus Guth
Light Design James Farncombe
Sets Michael Levine
Distribution homevideo / DVD Naxos Rights (Europe) Ltd
Soloist Asmik Grigorian
Soloist Karita Mattila
Soloist Saimir Pirgu
Soloist Nicky Spence