Jenufa

Leoš Janácek's powerful opera (and first masterpiece), which premiered in 1904 but was revised in 1916, is presented in this riveting 2009 production from the Teatro Real in Madrid. The somber work centers on Jenufa (Amanda Roocroft), whose illegitimate child—by her cousin Števa (Nikolai Schukoff)—is drowned by her stepmother, Kostelnicka (Deborah Polaski), in order to pave the way for Jenufa's marriage to Laca (Miroslav Dvorský), Števa's brother. But Janácek, who wrote the libretto himself, fills the dark tale with music that runs the gamut from genial peasant ensembles to the most emotionally wrenching solos. Conductor Ivor Bolton captures every nuance of the score's light and shade, drawing refined but vigorous playing from the Teatro Real Orchestra. The solo vocalism is exceptional across the board, but it's Roocroft and Polaski who stand out, with the latter in particular earning the protracted cheers she receives during the curtain calls. Stéphane Braunschweig's staging is minimalist—spare sets and pale costumes—but it creates a suitable milieu for the stark story. Presented in DTS 5.1 and LPCM stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include a cast gallery and an illustrated synopsis. Far preferable to the 2005 Barcelona mounting (VL-11/07), this production is highly recommended. (F. Swietek)