Album

Various Artists

Janáček: From the House of the Dead

Catalogue Number: SU 3953-2
Published: 24th October 2008
First release: SUPRAPHON, 1965
Genre: Opera
Format: 2 CD
This album has received following awards:
  • Classique-Info Ring, ClassiqueInfo.com. (2009)
  • Diapason d´Or, Diapason Magazine (2009)
This is the first CD release of the legendary 1964 production of Janáček's last opera by Bohumil Gregor and soloists of the National Theater. The vinyl release was awarded the prestigiousGrand Prix du disque lyrique in Paris in 1978. The cast and direction of the recording reflect the National Theater production which premiered in April, 1964, breaking new ground in the interpretation of this work. Janáček wrote his last opera towards the very end of his life, and it wasn't premiered until 1930, two years after his death. He sketched out the script and wrote the libretto himself, basing it on Dostoevsky's novel The House of the Dead, which takes place in a Siberian prison camp, describing the fates of individual prisoners. The work is fullof immense compassion for human suffering in that each of the stories demonstrates that a harsh environment and poverty were the main causes of the prisoners' crimes. This well-preserved recording not only presents a period interpretation of Janáček's work and the superior quality of the National Theater ensemble, but also an extraordinary musical experience, thanks to the unforgettable vocal performances.

CD 1

Leoš Janáček
From the House of the Death. Opera in 3 Acts
1. Overture 05:48
2. Act 1 - Introduction - Today they'll bring a gentleman! 04:54
3. Act 1 - What's your name? 03:53
4. Act 1 - Wretched creature! It resists! 02:24
5. Act 1 - Never again will my eyes behold my birthplace 01:35
6. Act 1 - I, a maiden, went to a fete 04:05
7. Act 1 - Alieia, get me a thread! 07:49
8. Act 2 - Introduction 02:38
9. Act 2 - My dear, dear Alieia! 02:46
10. Act 2 - Alexander Petrovich, there will be a holiday 03:21
11. Act 2 - Eh, I, poor and useless man 05:34
12. Act 2 - A day passes, two, three 02:20
13. Act 2 - La - la- la....The Play about Kedril and Don Juan .... 06:19
14. Act 2 - The pantomime about the miller's beautiful wife 05:03
15. Act 2 - Nice plays, weren't they? 05:13

CD 2

Leoš Janáček
From the House of the Death. Opera in 3 Acts
1. Act 3 - Introduction - Jesus, the prophet of God 03:50
2. Act 3 - O brothers! That pain is nothing 05:16
3. Act 3 - Ah, my dear children 03:17
4. Act 3 - You, said Filka 04:10
5. Act 3 - And Filka shouts 02:27
6. Act 3 - And I was drunk right up to the wedding day 05:21
7. Act 3 - The next day, drunk as a sod 09:05
8. Act 3 - Hou - hou...."Petrovich, I have offended you" 07:10