On 28 January, Opéra National de Lorraine in Nancy, Eastern France, presented a new production of Janáček’s Katya Kabanova. It was created by German opera director Philipp Himmelmann who decided to highlight the tragic nature of the story; the spectators are thus even offered handkerchiefs upon entering.
The music director is an Irish conductor Mark Shanahan. Popular Finnish soprano and long-standing collaborator with Opéra National de Lorraine Helena Juntunen stars as Katya, the other roles are performed by Leah-Marian Jones (Kabanicha), Alexander Teliga (Dikoj), Peter Wedd (Boris), Eric Huchet (Tichon), Eléonore Pancrazi (Varvara) and others. Sung in Czech, the opera will receive four more performances in January and February.
28 January 2018, Opéra National de Lorraine, Nancy, France
Leoš Janáček: Katya Kabanova (premiere)
Director: Philipp Himmelmann, music director: Mark Shanahan
following performances: 30 Jan, 1, 4 and 6 Feb 2018