- When a beautiful young woman in rural Moravia becomes unexpectedly pregnant, she learns that love is sometimes only skin-deep. Janácek took Gabriela Preissová's grim tale of infanticide and redemption, and condensed it into a masterful, spine-chilling drama. The tragic plight of the protagonists is presented with unsentimental realism that cannot help but trigger a response of deep compassion. Premiered at the National Theatre in the composer's hometown of Brno 115 years ago, the opera took him nine years to complete and is the first in which his distinctive voice can clearly be heard.
- Act I
The beautiful Jenufa fears that her beloved Steva has been drafted into the army. She is expecting his child and his departure would jeopardise their forthcoming marriage. Steva's stepbrother, Laca, also carries a flame for Jenufa and asks her about him. Steva finally arrives with his friends and musicians - he had not been drafted after all and celebrates his good fortune with drinking and dancing. Jenufa's strict guardian, Kostelnicka, disapproves of Steva's behaviour and that of his friends. In front of them all, she announces that she will only give her consent for a marriage between Jenufa and Steva after a probation year, during which time Steva would not be allowed to drink. Laca convinces Jenufa that Steva loves her only because of her beauty, and during the argument he cuts her face with a knife.
Act II
Fearing disgrace, Kostelnicka has hidden Jenufa in her home and claims to everybody that she has left for Vienna. In the meantime, Jenufa has given birth to a son. Whilst Jenufa is sleeping, Kostelnicka humbles herself before Steva and begs him to marry Jenufa. For Steva, however, Jenufa's scarred face has rendered her ugly. Besides, he is already engaged to the daughter of the Mayor. Laca arrives and asks Kostelnicka to hand Jenufa over to him. When Kostelnicka lets slip that Jenufa has given birth to Steva's child, he is shocked. In desperation, Kostelnicka lies that the child died immediately after his birth. As soon as Laca leaves, Kostelnicka drowns the child in an icy river and convinces Jenufa that she had slept for several days in a fever and the little boy had died in the meantime. The devastated Jenufa agrees to a marriage with Laco.
Act III
During the preparations for the wedding between Jenufa and Laca, news breaks out that a child has been found dead in the river. Jenufa recognises her little boy's bonnet and the suspicion of murder falls upon her. Kostelnicka admits her crime in front of the assembled guests. Before the Mayor leads her off to court, Jenufa forgives her, for she understands that she did it out of love for her. Jenufa believes that Laca will no longer want her and sends him away. However, he still wants to stay by her side and promises that he will be with her even in the bad times. Jenufa realises that she has found her true love 'and God is pleased with it'.
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