Janáček Operas

[Mirror Image]

A few years ago, we had a lot of productions of Janacek operas in the Belgian opera houses. They are really gripping on scene and are amazingly actual in their subjects. In 1999 I saw a Robert Carsen production of Jenufa and it still stands as the most heartbreaking play I ever witnessed. I still remember the silence the moment Jenufa discovers her baby has disappeared and her praying thereafter. Incredibly tragic and human.
But Káťa Kabanová, The Makropulos Affair and even the Cunning Little Vixen are only slightly less genial. Janacek is one of the greatest opera composers.

I'm finding that Janacek was incapable of writing anything that wasn't personal or human in some way. He wore his heart on his sleeve. I admire this about his music. What do you think about From the House of the Dead? Do you own all of Mackerras' Janacek recordings? They are all worthy of your time IMHO.

[Brian]

John, since you asked a while ago (GMG is a better way to keep in touch with me!), the only opera I've heard is Káťa Kabanová, which I listened to last summer. It was absolutely fantastic all the way through. I'll admit to less time for opera, mainly because I usually don't have the chance to listen to something for 90+ minutes. But the Janacek operas are extremely likely to be right up my alley.

[nico1616]

I'm finding that Janacek was incapable of writing anything that wasn't personal or human in some way. He wore his heart on his sleeve. I admire this about his music. What do you think about From the House of the Dead? Do you own all of Mackerras' Janacek recordings? They are all worthy of your time IMHO.

I own all the Mackerras opera recordings on Decca, and they are absolute treasures. Singers and conducting are great, but I especially love these opera cds for the sound of the orchestra.
From the House of the Dead is more difficult for me to relate to, maybe because I have never seen it live. I know all Janacek lovers count it among their favorites, so maybe I should give it another try...

[Mirror Image]

I own all the Mackerras opera recordings on Decca, and they are absolute treasures. Singers and conducting are great, but I especially love these opera cds for the sound of the orchestra.
From the House of the Dead is more difficult for me to relate to, maybe because I have never seen it live. I know all Janacek lovers count it among their favorites, so maybe I should give it another try...

From the House of the Dead is one of Janacek's masterpieces IMHO. It's certainly one of his more intense works. You should give it a fresh listen. I'm less fond of The Cunning Little Vixen but it does have some redeeming moments. The three operas I mentioned are my favorites.

[mc ukrneal]

Deep Discount currently has this set at $36 (and in stock), which strikes me as a pretty good deal if anyone is considering it (in the US at least)...
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[Mirror Image]

John, since you asked a while ago (GMG is a better way to keep in touch with me!), the only opera I've heard is Káťa Kabanová, which I listened to last summer. It was absolutely fantastic all the way through. I'll admit to less time for opera, mainly because I usually don't have the chance to listen to something for 90+ minutes. But the Janacek operas are extremely likely to be right up my alley.

Káťa Kabanová is such a lovely opera. Full of arresting rhythms, melodies, and harmonies. It's also one of Janacek's most emotional utterances IMHO. My suggestion would be listen to each opera one act at a time. It's very hard for me to sit through a whole opera now, but I do find taking it act by act seems like a better way to digest what had just occurred.

[nico1616]

From the House of the Dead is one of Janacek's masterpieces IMHO. It's certainly one of his more intense works. You should give it a fresh listen. I'm less fond of The Cunning Little Vixen but it does have some redeeming moments. The three operas I mentioned are my favorites.

I will certainly give From the House of the Dead another try one of these days
I am surpised Jenufa is not among your favorites. It is my absolute number 1 and the Mackerras Decca recording would be one of my desert island disks.