Supported by Friends of WNO

Co-production with Grand Theatr de Geneve

Lyrical and intensely theatrical, Jenůfa gives real hope for the human spirit.

Katie Mitchell (Associate Director, National Theatre) returns to direct her celebrated production of Janáček’s deeply moving, very human tragedy, which is a landmark in music theatre.

Jenůfa hopes for marriage to Števa, the father of her baby, but is rejected. After spurning the advances of Števa's brother Laca - and being disfigured by him, she is hidden by her stepmother to give birth in secret. Her stepmother takes the baby, telling her it has died. Jenůfa is reconciled with Laca and agrees to marry him – but as the ceremony is about to begin, a murdered baby is found under the ice...

Sian Edwards conducts a powerful cast of soloists including Nuccia Focile as Jenůfa, returning to WNO following her acclaimed performances as Tatyana in Eugene Onegin and Susan Bickley as the Stepmother upon whose actions this devastating drama is hinged.

"One of the most gripping experiences on offer in British opera theatres today."

Sunday Telegraph

"The Welsh National Opera orchestra members play as if their lives depended on it."

Classic FM Magazine on WNO's 2005 recording of Jenůfa on Chandos

Running Time approximately 2 hours 40 minutes

Conductor Sian Edwards (8 Oct-19 Nov) Conductor Anthony Negus (26 Nov & 3 Dec) Director Katie Mitchell Designer Vicki Mortimer Lighting Designer Nigel J Edwards Movement Director Struan Leslie