Angela Denoke; Jane Henschel; Rainer Trost; Dagmar Peckova; "KATA KABANOVA": Leos Janacek

This channel is the re-establishment of previous channels that have been sadly terminated.
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Angela Denoke--Katerina
Jane Henschel--Marfa Kabanova
David Kuebler--Boris
Rainer Trost--Vana
Dagmar Pecková--Vavara
Hubert Delamboye--Tichon
Sylvain Cambreling--conductor
Slowakischer Philharmonischer Chor Bratislava
Tschechische (Czech) Philharmonie
1998
Salzburger Festspiele; LIVE
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Although I feel somewhat disloyal saying it, this tightly led, taut reading of Káta Kabanová is on a par with Charles Mackerras’ classic set on London with the great Elisabeth Söderström in the title role. Taped live at the l998 Salzburg Festival and performed without intermission, this performance amounts to a true indictment of small-town minds and the sad figure who can only find escape through suicide. The players, obviously interacting in a theatrical situation, play off one another with such urgency that this turns into the aural, operatic version of cinema-verité. Few of the singers are well-known–David Kuebler’s Boris is another vivid portrait in the tenor’s gallery, and Rainer Trost uses his lighter, more innocent-sounding tenor to bring Kudrjas to life. Angela Denoke’s Kata is world class; she sings the text as if born to its rhythms and sentiments, and the middle of her voice, where so much of Kata’s music lies, is rich and full. American mezzo Jane Henschel does not turn Kabanichka into a caricature, rather she presents us with an unyielding, selfish, controlling woman to be feared. The others in the cast are equally committed and, as hinted at above, Sylvain Cambreling gets right to the core of this thorny, tough work, and he is handsomely abetted by the Slovak Philharmonic chorus and Czech orchestra. Fine sound too. A real thrill.

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Place: The Russian town of Kalinov on the shores of the Volga River
Time: The 1860s
Act 1
Vána Kudrjás admires the view of the Volga River, which amuses the more literal-minded housekeeper of the adjoining Kabanov estate. Two men approach, Dikoj and his nephew, Boris Grigorjevic, where Dikoj is berating Boris. Dikoj learns that Kabanicha, the Kabanov family matriarch, is not at home.

Act 2
The women are working on embroidery. Kabanicha criticizes Káťa for not appearing more sorrowful at Tichon's absence. After Kabanicha leaves, Varvara shows Káťa the key to the far part of the garden. Varvara intends to meet Vána, her lover, there. . Kabanicha reappears with Dikoj, who is drunk and complaining that people take advantage of his softhearted nature. However, Kabanicha chastises him.

Vána Kudrjás is waiting for Varvara in the garden. Boris then unexpectedly appears, after receiving a message to go there. Varvara arrives, and she and Vána go for a walk by the river. Káťa then appears, and Boris declares his love for her. She is at first worried about social ruin, but finally she reciprocates, confessing her secret feelings for him. They embrace and they too leave for a walk. Vána and Varvara return, as she explains her precautions should Kabanicha suddenly appear. Káťa and Boris are heard in wordless, ecstatic duet as Vána and Varvara say that it is time to return home.

Act 3
Ten days later
Vána Kudrjás and Kuligin are strolling near the river when an approaching storm causes them to take shelter in a ruined building. Other people join them, including Dikoj. Vána tries to calm Dikoj with scientific explanations about a new invention, the lightning rod.d. The rain dies down, and people start to leave the shelter. Vána meets Boris and Varvara. Varvara says that Tichon has returned, and Káťa is very agitated. Kabanicha arrives with Tichon and Káťa. The storm returns, and people assume initially that this is what upsets Káťa. However, she confesses to Tichon in front of everyone her assignation with Boris during her husband's absence. Then she runs out into the storm.

Evening approaches after the storm has ended. Tichon and a search party are looking for Káťa. At first among the party, Varvara and Vána then decide to leave the village for Moscow and start a new life. They leave, and as the searchers continue, Káťa appears. She knows that her confession has dishonoured her and humiliated Boris. . Boris says that his uncle is sending him away to another town, but asks her what will become of her. As her sanity deteriorates, she first begs him to be allowed to accompany him, then insists that she could not and bids him farewell; he leaves in sorrow. . Tichon tries to help Káťa but is restrained by Kabanicha; he blames her for Káťa's suicide. Dikoj appears with Káťa's body and lays her on the ground. Tichon cries over the body as, without any emotion, Kabanicha thanks the bystanders—or, as often done, the audience—for their help.