A claustrophobically intense yet heart-rending study of sexual morality within a close-knit community, it was inspired by Janácek's erotic obsession with a younger married woman.

Stunning singing actress Patricia Racette makes her ENO debut as the passionate soul trapped in a loveless marriage, with Stuart Skelton (a sensational Peter Grimes in another Alden staging in 2009) as the stranger who offers her a brief hope of happiness. Janácek's most lyrically emotional score is conducted by Mark Wigglesworth with an outstanding cast also featuring Susan Bickley, Clive Bayley, John Graham-Hall, Anna Grevelius and Alfie Boe.

Costumes were built by The Dallas Opera Costume Workshop
A co-production with Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos, Lisbon and Teatr Wielki-Opera Narodowa, Warsaw
Supported by The Friends of ENO

Dates
15 - 27 March 2010

Running time: 1hour 40mins