Jenufa/Katya Kabanova

This double volume contains two masterpieces of the Czech composer Leo Jancek. Jenufa was the opera which finally brought him international recognition and, with it, fame at home. Based on Ostrovskys The Storm, Katya Kabanova contains wonderful music inspired by the composers love for a much younger woman. The scores are discussed by Arnold Whittall, and the background sources are variously introduced by social and literary historians. John Tyrell comments on an important letter about the genesis of Katya; Sir Charles Mackerras describes his work as an interpreter and advocate of this brilliantly original and dramatic music. Contents: A National Composer Jaroslav Krejci; Drama into Libretto, Karel Brusak; The Challenge from Within: Janceks Musico-dramatic Mastery, Arnold Whittall; Jancek and Czech Realism, Jan Smaczny; Jenufa: Libretto by Leo Jancek; Jenufa: English translation by Otakar Kraus and Edward Downes; A Russian Heart of Darkness, Alex de Jonge; Janceks forgotten commentary on Katya Kabanova, John Tyrrell; Katya Kabanova: Libretto by Leo Jancek; Katya Kabanova: English translation by Norman Tucker; Janceks Operas Preparation and Performance, Charles Mackerras