If Leos Janácek is solidly ensconced in the repertoire of opera houses today, it is the first time that one of his operas is presented in Lille. With Jenufa, the Czech composer brilliantly confirms the importance of his place in the history of the genre. He deploys such emotional power that the banal cruelty of a common incident is elevated to the ranks of the grandest tragedies.

In a Moravian village oppressed by the inquisitiveness of its inhabitants, Jenufa finds herself with child, from the man who seduced then abandoned her. Disfigured by the jealous suitor who ends up marrying her, she must submit to the vicissitudes of implacable fate … until death finally comes for her.

This production of Jenufa was a triumph in France when it was premiered in 2007. For stage directors Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser, the creative minds behind this production, this opera is an ensemble work. On the stage, the singers vie to outdo each other, tuning their performance to a musical tension that never lets up. The violence of the characters flirts with the collective madness under the baton of Mark Shanahan. The British conductor can count on the National Orchestra of Lille to carry to fever pitch a score that transfigures popular melodies, drives the rhythm to a frenzy and unveils a trove of harmonic treasures.

Opera in three acts by Leos Janácek (1854-1928).
Libretto by Leos Janácek, after Její Pastorkyna by Gabriela Preissova.
Premiered in Theater of Brno, 21th january 1904.

Conductor Mark Shanahan
Director Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser
Scenography Christian Fenouillat
Costumes Agostino Cavalca
Lights Christophe Forey
Musical and linguistic studies Irène Kudela
Singing Master Nicolas Chesneau
Choir Master Yves Parmentier
Assistant Director Gilles Rico

With

Olga Guryakova Jenúfa
Diane Pilcher Grandmother Buryjovka
Paul O’Neill Laca Klemen
Tom Randle Steva Buryjovka
Kathryn Harries Kostelnicka Buryjovka
Richard Mosley-Evans the supervisor, the mayor of village
Linda Ormiston Mayor’s wife
Clémence Barrabé Karolka
Cécile Galois Barena, an maid
Camille Slosse Jano, a shepherd
Gaëlle Mallada an maid

lille national orchestra / jean-claude casadesus / Region nord-pas de calais

Angers Nantes Opera Choir
conducted by Sandrine Abello
Lille Opera Choir
conducted by Yves Parmentier

SA 2 FEBRUARY 11 P.M.
AN ENCOUNTER
with the artists after the performance. Free admission.

SA 12 JANUARY 3.30 P.M.
AT SAINT-SAUVEUR STATION
PUBLIC REHERSAL WITH JENUFA’S CHOIR
Free admission. Reservation from 18th december
T 0820 48 9000 / billetterie@opera-lille.fr

SA 26 JANUARY 5.30 P.M.
DISCUSSION BY ALAIN NOLLIER JANÁCEK AND SLAVIAN OPERA
in collaboration with Club Lyrique Régional.
Free admission. Access by the Ticket Office, on Leon Trulin street. 
Réservation from 2nd january
T 0820 48 9000 / billetterie@opera-lille.fr

WE 23 JANUARY 6 P.M.
WEDNESDAY CONCERT
JANÁCEK, PIÈCES INTIMES #1
With the Quatuor Leonis : Guillaume Antonini, Sébastien Richaud violins - Alphonse Dervieux viola - Jean-Lou Loger cello

WE 6 FEBRUARY 6 P.M.
WEDNESDAY CONCERT
JANÁCEK, PIÈCES INTIMES #2
With Laurent Le Flécher violin - Irène Kudela piano