The concert production of Janáček's opera Jenufa in the Rudolfinum in Prague and then in the Royal Festival Hall in London garnered acclaim on a scale between positive and stormy. Mainly Karita Mattila, but also the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and Jiří Bělohlávek drew attention to themselves. BBC recorded the April concert in London. The recording is available until 18 May. The link is given below.
Karita Mattila no longer knelt in front of Jiří Bělohlávek as at this 70th birthday concert, but instead she sang the role of Kostelnička. The leading young dramatical soprano also drew the attention of domestic and foreign reviewers. It is as understandable as it is unfair. For many foreign critics and listeners, Mattila is their first Jenufa and they overall tie her to Janáček's younger heroines. They see the transition to the older, high-dramatic Kostelnička as a major turning point in the singer's career. Her performance was assessed mostly positively with minor comments. For example the excessive preoccupation with the short score indicating an undigested role received complaints.
BBC Radio 3 in Concert
Leoš Janáček: Jenufa. Royal Festival Hall, 18 April 2016➚
Domestic listeners will be pleased to hear that Adriana Kohútková looks at least the same in the role of Jenufa. Compared to Mattila's Kostelnička, she has more experience with the role and is at home in it. If the critics notice anyone but Mattila in more detail, it is Kohútková. Other performers including Aleš Briscein (Laca) and Jaroslav Březina (Števa) receive only brief characteristics, or both artists in leading male roles are even included in the positive collective assessment. That is the aforementioned injustice.
Acclaim is received by Jiří Bělohlávek as well as the specific audio and masterful performance of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. Foreign evaluation is also praised by the Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno, our reviewers were more critical. The opportunity to hear Janáček in an authentic interpretation and the original language is also appreciated abroad. A matter of course that is normally available to the Czech audience. Maybe that is why the audience appreciate it much less. The BBC recording is technically successful, so it would be a shame to miss it. During the break of the recording, you can see first finalist in the prestigious BBC Young Musician 2016 in the category of percussionists Tom Pritchard.
Leoš Janáček: Jenufa. Musical arrangement – Jiří Bělohlávek. Adriana Kohútková – Jenufa, Karita Mattila – Kostelníčka Buryjovka, Jaroslav Březina – Števa Buryja, Aleš Briscein – Laca Klemeň, Svatopluk Sem – Mill Foreman, Yvona Škvárová – Grandmother Buryjovka, Lucie Silkenová – Karolka, Luděk Vele – Mayor, Jana Hrochová – Mayor's wife, Marta Reichelová – Jano, Kateřina Jalovcová – Pastuchyňa, Kateřina Kněžíková – Barena, Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.
