In a provincial town, Katya’s dull, loveless life is made worse by her tyrannical mother-in-law, Kabanicha. She longs for freedom and, when her husband leaves on business, she is swept into a brief but passionate romance with an outsider, Boris, who has loved Katya from afar. When her husband returns, she finds herself tormented by her guilty conscience and the pressures of society.
Katya Kabanova is a turbulent love story by Czech composer Leoš Janáček that does not shy away from raw, human feeling. Anguish, resolve, guilt and love are put on full, inescapable display via impressive audio-visual effects and powerful performances from the cast.
Janáček’s score is famously lyrical. Inspired by Slavic folk songs, the score captures beauty and tragedy in equal measures and will remain with you long after the curtain has fallen.
Presented by Victorian Opera with Performance Partner Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM)
Conductor Alexander Briger
Director Heather Fairbairn
Set & Costume Designer Savanna Wegman
Lighting Designer Niklas Pajanti
Video Designer Robert Brown
Assistant Director & Camera Operator Ben Sheen
Katya Desiree Frahn
Boris Andrew Goodwin
Kabanicha Antoinette Halloran
Tichon Michael Petruccelli
Dikoj Adrian Tamburini
Varvara Emily Edmonds
Kudrjaš Douglas Kelly
Kuligin Bailey Montgomerie
Glascha Michaela Cadwgan
Tuesday 14 October, 7.30 pm
Thursday 16 October, 7.30 pm
Duration 1 hour and 40 minutes, no interval
Language Sung in Czech with English surtitles
Content Warnings Dark psychological themes, strobe, flashing lights, haze, and rapid digital motion effects
Tickets: $39 – $170
