Jenůfa Synopsis: The Brief Story Of The Jenůfa
Jenůfa Synopsis
This “Jenůfa Synopsis” provides a concise summary of the plot, characters, and significant events in the opera “Jenůfa.”
“Jenůfa” is a renowned opera that delves into the complexities of human emotions and the consequences of societal pressures.
Composed by Leoš Janáček, this powerful work tells a compelling story set in a small Moravian village during the late 19th century.
The opera revolves around the lives of its titular character, Jenůfa, and her stepmother, Kostelnička.
Their intertwined journey explores themes of love, sacrifice, betrayal, and redemption, captivating audiences with its raw emotional intensity.
“Jenůfa” is celebrated worldwide for its masterful libretto and stirring music, captivating audiences with its poignant and thought-provoking story.
Jenůfa synopsis serves as a helpful guide to understanding and following the storyline.
This synopsis is a very useful tool for you if you are new to opera or need a refresher before attending a performance.
So, let us delve into the captivating world of “Jenůfa” and its mesmerizing tale.
Introduction
The story revolves around complex relationships within a village.
Prior to the opera’s beginning, the two sons of Grandmother Buryja, who owns the mill, had each been married twice. They had children and passed away.
The wives, except for Kostelnička who is the widow of the churchwarden, have also died. Kostelnička is the younger son’s second wife and stepmother of Jenůfa.
According to tradition, only Števa, the child of the elder son from his second marriage, will inherit the mill. This leaves his half-brother Laca and cousin Jenůfa to support themselves.
As a result, internal strife consumes the Buryja family as they grapple with their troubles. Conflict ensues between two half-brothers, Števa and Laca.
Števa, blessed with good looks but burdened by irresponsibility, has inherited the family’s wealth. This includes the valuable mill, and he also enjoys a cherished position in their affections.
On the other hand, Laca spirals deeper into despair, his love for Jenůfa, Kostelnička’s stepdaughter, remaining unrequited.
Unbeknownst to others, Jenůfa harbors a hidden secret—her love for Števa and her pregnancy with his child.
As she senses Števa’s indifference towards marriage and fears his potential conscription, Jenůfa teeters on the brink of panic.
Jenůfa Synopsis: Act I
At the Buryja mill, apprehension fills Jenůfa as she contemplates the village men’s latest conscription draft.
She is deeply concerned that if Števa is selected for the army, they will not have enough time to marry before her pregnancy becomes visible.
Grandmother Buryja reproaches Jenůfa for her absent-mindedness, while Laca mercilessly taunts her.
Jano, a young shepherd boy whom Jenůfa has been tutoring, bursts into the scene brimming with excitement over his newfound ability to read.
Jenůfa promises to bring him a book later as a reward for his progress.
The mill foreman admonishes Laca for his callous treatment of Jenůfa, igniting a surge of anger within him.
Jenůfa’s elation knows no bounds when the foreman announces that Števa has been spared from the draft.
However, Laca is incensed by this twist of fate, further fueling his frustration.
Števa arrives inebriated, accompanied by the other recruits, ready for revelry and dancing.
Their merriment is abruptly halted by Kostelnička, who withdraws her consent for Števa and Jenůfa to marry until Števa proves he can maintain sobriety for an entire year.
Left alone together, Jenůfa pleads earnestly with Števa to marry her as soon as possible.
Grandmother Buryja interrupts their conversation, and Števa hastily departs, affirming his unwavering devotion to Jenůfa.
As Laca approaches Jenůfa, a heated argument ensues, escalating to the point where Laca brandishes his knife. In the ensuing struggle, Jenůfa’s face is tragically slashed.
As Laca makes his escape, the foreman calls out after him, accusing Laca of intentionally causing the injury to Jenůfa’s face.
Jenůfa Synopsis: Act II
At Kostelnička’s house, five months later, a secret is revealed. Kostelnička discovers Jenůfa’s pregnancy and conceals her stepdaughter within the house.
Thereafter, she started deceiving the villagers by fabricating a story about Jenůfa visiting relatives in Vienna.
With Jenůfa’s baby now a week old, Kostelnička prepares to execute her plan—to persuade Števa to marry Jenůfa.
Overwhelmed by anxiety for the family’s reputation, she administers a sleeping potion to Jenůfa.
When Števa arrives, he expresses concern for Jenůfa but confesses that he has no intention of marrying her.
He used her disfigured face as an excuse. Števa also discloses his engagement to Karolka, the mayor’s daughter.
Despite Kostelnička’s pleas, Števa flees, leaving her seething with anger towards him and the baby, who has brought such disgrace to their family.
Kostelnička Reveals the Truth to Laca
Shortly after, Laca arrives, and Kostelnička reveals the truth about the baby to him.
In a moment of desperation, she utters a dreadful lie—the baby is dead. Laca is sent away, but he vows to return.
Left alone, Kostelnička envisions the judgment and condemnation that await her family once the truth is exposed.
Overwhelmed, she exclaims, “I will take this child and give it back to God!” Wrapping the baby in a shawl, she rushes out into the wintry night.
Jenůfa Woke Up and Later Accepted Laca
Jenůfa awakens from the sleeping potion, disoriented and frantic to find her baby.
In her distress, she visualizes the child plunging into a dark and icy void. Urgently, she turns to prayer.
At that moment, Kostelnička returns, informing Jenůfa that she has slept for two days, during which time the baby tragically passed away.
She also reveals that Števa has rejected Jenůfa, while Laca still wishes to marry her.
Laca reenters and implores Jenůfa to accept him. Reluctantly, she agrees. Kostelnička bestows her blessing upon them, cursing Števa with vehement words.
However, she herself succumbs to fear as an icy wind permeates the house.
Jenůfa Synopsis: Act III
Two months later, at the mill, the Buryja family attempts to maintain a cheerful facade on the day of Jenůfa’s wedding to Laca.
However, Jenůfa appears sorrowful, and Kostelnička is tense and withdrawn.
As the family and guests gather to admire Jenůfa’s trousseau, Laca reassures her of his love. He also expressed gratitude for her kindness and understanding.
Laca even shares that he has forgiven Števa and invited him and Karolka to the wedding.
Števa and Karolka enter, with the latter speaking animatedly while Števa tries to conceal his unease.
A group of village girls sings a wedding song to Jenůfa, and the engaged couple kneels for Grandmother Buryja’s blessing.
Kostelnička’s Secret Exposed!
Suddenly, chaos erupted outside. Jano, the shepherd, rushes in with the shocking news that some villagers have discovered the lifeless body of a frozen baby.
Fear grips everyone, and Kostelnička desperately tries to prevent Jenůfa from seeing the tragic sight. However, Jenůfa breaks free and quickly returns, screaming that the deceased child is hers.
The villagers, horrified, turn against Jenůfa, shouting for her to be stoned to death.
Laca attempts to shield her from their aggression, but it is Kostelnička who intervenes and saves her stepdaughter.
Confessing that she is the one who killed Jenůfa’s baby. She describes how she drowned the child by submerging it beneath the river ice.
Kneeling before Jenůfa, to everyone’s surprise, Jenůfa approaches and helps her up, understanding that Kostelnička’s actions were borne out of love for her.
Jenůfa implores the villagers to grant the Kostelnička time to find solace and reconcile with God. Afterwards, the mayor leads Kostelnička away.
Alone together, Jenůfa tells Laca that he should not marry a woman tainted by disgrace. However, Laca remains resolute, asserting that nothing else matters as long as they are together.
At Phamox Music, we go all out for exactness and honesty. For this purpose, if by any means you found any possible glitch, be it factual, editorial, or something that we need to update, kindly contact us.
If you find the information provided in this post, Jenůfa Synopsis, interesting and helpful, kindly share it with someone you know who might need it.
