Salzburg Festival 2022: Káťa Kabanová

Janáček’s opera Káťa Kabanová is set in a small Russian town and is based on the play The Storm by Aleksandr Ostrov– sky. The story revolves around the central character, Káťa – sung by “the phenomenal Corinne Winters” (Neue Musikzeitung) – who is trapped in a loveless marriage to an abusive man named Boris. Despite her unhappiness, she is bound by the strict societal norms of her time and is unable to escape the situation. However, when she meets and falls in love with a young man named Váňa Kudrjáš, she finally experiences happiness and passion. But their relationship is short-lived, as Boris finds out and forces Káťa to confess her infidelity in front of the entire town. Overwhelmed by the shame and guilt, she drowns herself in the nearby river. The opera explores themes of social conformity, oppression, and the consequences of forbidden love. Janáček’s use of musical leitmotifs and repetitive themes reflect the characters’ emotions and psychological states, adding depth and nuance to the story. Stage director Barrie Kosky managed to create an intimate but impressive setting in the magnificent Felsenreitschule. “The young Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša, highly esteemed by the Wiener Philharmoniker, leads the orchestra with a feeling for the great moments as well as the fine lyricism of the grandiose score. Corinne Winters is thrilling in the title role” (Kronenzeitung)