Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin notes: while this performance of Janácek’s Jenufa features the same three principal singers from the legendary Carnegie Hall concert of 1988, the fact that it is a staged performance raises the temperature even higher.

Plus Janácek specialist Charles Mackerras on the podium is a huge improvement over Eve Queler. Note the singer in the role of the Old Shepherdess!

Leos Janácek: Jenufa

San Francisco Opera
Charles Mackerras, conductor
19 September 1986

Jenufa – Gabriela Benacková
Kostelnicka Buryjovka – Leonie Rysanek
Laca Klemen – Wieslaw Ochman
Steva Buryja – Neil Rosenshein
Grandmother Buryjovka – Cristiane Young
Stárek – Mark Coles
Jano – Li-Cham Chen
The mayor – Monte Pederson
The mayor’s wife – Nikki Li Hartlep
Karolka – Kathryn Cowdrick
Barena – Vicki Shaghoian
An old shepherdess – Deborah Voigt
Kostelnicka’s aunt – Delia Voitoff

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

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