Event

Katia Kabanova

Finnish Soprano Karita Mattila is unforgettable in Leos Janáček's classic opera about a woman trapped in a loveless marriage, which was inspired by the composer's own deep love for a married woman

Recorded Live at the Teatro Real Madrid

Teatro Real's much-awaited production of Leos Janáček's intense yet heart-rending study of sexual morality within a close-knit community, featuring Karita Mattila's triumphant performance, has been universally acclaimed by critics as a perfect piece of opera. Katya is trapped. Suffocated by a loveless marriage. Bullied by a monstrous mother-in- law. Locked in a stultifying village. She yearns to break free. When she falls in love with another man, Katya begins to feel the walls of her life close in upon her. Inspired by the composer's own deep love for a married woman, Katya is a woman with whom every listener falls in love, and who transcends the small town prejudices that overwhelm the other characters. The production dazzles due to the stunning beauty of Canadian Robert Carsen's theatrical production, his magical direction, a bold and powerfully poetic stage design. All the action takes place on a huge expanse of water, filled with the reflections of extraordinarily graceful images shaped by exquisite lighting. The cast is dominated by the remarkable Finnish soprano Karita Mattila, who plays Janacek's doomed dreamer who finds both excitement and crushing torment in a torrid affair with a stranger. Her performance utterly unforgettable: once experienced, it is difficult to imagine the opera without her. Gifted conductor Jiri Belohlavek provides a musical direction and the Teatro Real Orchestra gives one of its best performances ever. (138 minutes including intermission / With English Subtitles)

"The best of best productions! Almost perfect! Perfect performance in every area!" - El Norte de Castilla

"No one can remain indifferent to this Katia, it's amazing!" -ABC