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Kát´a Kabanová
Leoš Janáček 1854 1928
I
Kát´a is unhappily married with Tichon Kabanov and Tichon’s domineering mother rules the entire household. Kát´a takes Tichon’s foster-sister into her confidence: she has lost all joy in life since her marriage and longs for someone to come and free her. Varvara, who is involved with the teacher Vana Kudrjás, encourages Kát´a to give in to her desires. Boris, a neighbour, is in love with Kát´a.
II
Varvara brings Kát´a a key to the garden door so that she can meet Boris. Kát´a goes to the door when Tichon is away on a business trip, even though she is afraid that something terrible might happen. At first she rejects Boris’ advances, only finally to surrender herself to him.
III
Tichon has returned. Despite Varvara and Kudrjás’ attempts to calm her, Kát´a is at her wit’s end and confesses to Tichon and the Kabanicha that she has spent ten nights of love with Boris. She flees outside into a raging storm. Varvara and Kudrjás leave for Moscow to build a new life. Kát´a and Boris see each other one last time: he has to leave for Siberia. Shortly afterwards Kát´a throws herself into the river.
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