A new production of Jenůfa by Leoš Janáček is one of the four performances played at Longborough Festival Opera this year. Held between June 9 and August 4, this festival offers what is referred to as “country house opera” experience, which means that the works are performed at remote country houses. In addition to the show itself, the visit therefore usually includes also a picnic in the open air, dinner and an overnight stay. In England, country house opera rangs among very popular form of summer entertainment. The Longborough Festival Opera is held in Gloucestershire county in a village of Longborough which has less than 500 inhabitants.
After The Cunning Little Vixen (2008) and Katya Kabanova (2012), Jenůfa is already the third Janáček production in the festival’s history. The creative team once again consists of Richard Studer (director) and Jonathan Lyness (music director). The title role of Jenůfa is sung by a renowned Scottish soprano Lee Bisset who was starring as Katya at the festival in 2012. She has been familiar with the role of Jenůfa, too, having sung it last year in a production by the Scottish opera. Apart from Bisset, the cast includes Gaynor Keeble (Kostelnička), Daniel Norman (Laca), Andrew Rees (Števa), Maria Jagusz (Grandmother) and others. The opera is sung in the English translation. The premiere took place on July 16 with three more performances following.
16 July 2016, Longborough, Gloucestershire, England
further performances: July 19, 21 and 23
Longborough Festival Opera
Leoš Janáček: Jenůfa
Director: Richard Stuter, music director: Jonathan Lyness