AMY STUTZ
  • Theatre
    • Reviews
    • Interviews
    • Features
  • Travel
  • About
  • Published Work
  • Theatre
  • Travel
  • About
  • Published Work
4K Followers
0 Followers
Subscribe
AMY STUTZ
AMY STUTZ
  • Theatre
    • Reviews
    • Interviews
    • Features
  • Travel
  • About
  • Published Work
  • Theatre

REVIEW | Jenufa | Opera North

  • 12th November 2015
  • One comment
  • 2 minute read
  • Amy
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
Janacek Jenufa - Opera North The Lowry
Janacek Jenufa – Opera North – photo Richard H Smith

Opera North’s revival of Jenufa, a story of emotional heartbreak is told on a stage so minimalistic and bare that the consuming emotion is highly amplified. The angular set is suitably fitting to the era and fashion of the time, it gives a semi abstract feel to the staging. The story begins with a young girl Jenufa (Ylva Kihlberg) who is optimistic about love and has set her heart on marrying Steva (Daniel Norman). We are then introduced to the character of Laca (David Butt Philip) whom is distraughtly in love with Jenufa. After Steva who has impregnated Jenufa returns drunk one night, Jenufa’s foster mother (Susan Bickley) refuses to bless their marriage.

Janacek Jenufa - Opera North The Lowry
Janacek Jenufa – Opera North – photo Richard H Smith

The score is powerful, capturing the emotions of the characters impeccably, although the show is in English, subtitles are still used due to the overwhelming orchestra. Vocally the performance is strong, Ylva is a fitting soprano for the role of Jenufa, her vocal variations are highly compelling. Susan Bickley excellently portrays the role of the mother Kostelnicka, in the 1st Act her stage presence is commanding and her vocals outstanding. Her emotion is poignant and this is transparent during the 2nd Act as she commits a harrowing sin.

David Butt Philip plays the role of Laca remarkably, his character grows throughout the performance and he manages to hold the intensity of the character whilst also maintaining the vocal precision in the more sombre emotional scenes.

Janacek Jenufa - Opera North Review, The Lowry
Janacek Jenufa – Opera North – photo Richard H Smith

Conductor Aleksandar Marković occasionally allows the orchestra volume to overpower the performers therefore the audience lose some of the emotional connection. However as the performance progresses the balance between the orchestra and the singers is restored and their characterisation and expression is visible, heightening the emotion of the piece.

Director Tom Cairns also designed the costume and set, as mentioned the set is stylistic and displays the confusion and emotion of the characters, the lighting is impressive as the set is lit to intensify the mood of the production. The costume is a mix of 20th century pieces with a bohemian accent which reflect the setting of the opera, a mid 20th century Moravian village.

Jenufa is an opera exploding with potency and profound emotion communicated through a truly powerful score.

Information on Opera North’s Jenufa can be found here.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • Jenufa
  • Manchester
  • Opera
  • Opera North
  • The Lowry
  • theatre
Amy

Previous Article
  • Theatre

Interview | Tom the Musical launch

  • 11th November 2015
  • Amy
View Post
Next Article
  • Theatre

REVIEW | Guys and Dolls | UK Tour

  • 13th November 2015
  • Amy
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Interviews
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Nostalgia, Smash-Hits and Stardom, Alex Cardall Talks The Osmonds Musical

  • 14th March 2022
  • Amy
View Post
  • Reviews
  • Theatre

REVIEW | The Magician’s Elephant | RSC

  • 8th November 2021
  • Amy
View Post
  • Interviews
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Divina de Campo Talks Taking to the Stage in Chicago the Musical

  • 23rd October 2021
  • Amy
View Post
  • Interviews
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Summer Strallen Talks Playing A Villain for the First Time in The Magician’s Elephant

  • 18th October 2021
  • Amy
View Post
  • Reviews
  • Theatre

REVIEW | School of Rock | UK Tour

  • 23rd September 2021
  • Amy
View Post
  • Interviews
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Sharon Sexton Talks Powerhouse Production Bat Out of Hell the Musical

  • 15th September 2021
  • Amy
View Post
  • Interviews
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Molly Lynch Talks Love, Life and Learning in The Last Five Years

  • 8th September 2021
  • Amy
View Post
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Avita Jay Talks The Comedy of Errors at the RSC this Summer

  • 9th August 2021
  • Amy

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Search
about
Amy Stutz
Follow Us
AMY STUTZ
UK Arts, Culture and Theatre Blog

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

 

Loading Comments...