Description
She is tired. She is world-weary.
And she is utterly, eternally beautiful. The beguiling heroine of Janáček’s penultimate opera is a vivid portrait of Kamila Stösslova, the woman he was obsessed with for ten long years. Clever, manipulative, coquettish and, ultimately, tragic, this mysterious woman has drifted through so many people’s lives, leaving a trail of broken hearts and unanswered questions. Meanwhile, her quest for a three-hundred-year-old prize grows ever more urgent. Who is she, and what is her secret?
Cheryl Barker was devastating in Neil Armfield’s production of Jenufa in 2006. She now returns to make her Australian role debut as the chilling, thrilling Elina Makropulos. Joining her as Albert Gregor comes Peter Wedd, who made such an impressive debut as Laca in Jenufa, Catherine Carby as Kristina, Andrew Goodwin as Janek and the redoubtable John Pringle in the role of Jaroslav Prus. Completing the awardwinning team is Opera Australia’s Music Director Richard Hickox, who will conduct Janáček’s elusive, lyrical score.
Performed in English with surtitles: Surtitles are a translation of the text of the opera projected on a screen above the stage. Note that Surtitles cannot be viewed from all seats. If you require a surtitle view please check your allocation against the information on the seat map prior to accepting your booking.
Running time: 2 hours and 20 minutes including one 20 minute interval.