Janáček: From the House of the Dead (2018)
Stage director Frank Castorf “might have been born to direct From the House of the Dead” (Opera Today). His gritty, visually striking adaptation brings bold modern and postmodern touches to Janáček’s masterwork without ever overshadowing the intense forward momentum of the music, conducted to dramatic perfection by Simone Young and sung by an all-star cast in Munich. Janáček adapted Dostoevsky for this powerfully compelling opera set in a Siberian prison camp, full of starkly contrasting moods and motifs, unusual in its episodic structure. The last opera Janáček ever composed, its third act was on his desk when he died in 1928; attempts by his students to “complete” his orchestration have largely fallen away over the decades in favor of the original version. Despite the grimness of the setting and the brutality of several characters, the composer’s compassion shines through in tender moments, movingly illustrating his motto for the work: “in every creature, a spark of God.”
Cast
- Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper
- Peter Rose - Alexander Petrovich Goryanchikov
- Evgeniya Sotnikova - Aleya
- Aleš Briscein - Luka Kuzmich
- Charles Workman - Skuratov
- Bo Skovhus - Shishkov
- Christian Rieger - Prison Governor
- Bayerisches Staatsorchester
- Manuel Günther - Nikita
- Tim Kuypers - Small Prisoner
Screenplay
- Fyodor Dostoevsky (Novel)
- Leoš Janáček
Keywords
prison
Trailer
Janáček: From the House of the Dead TrailerFrequently Asked Questions
- What is Janáček: From the House of the Dead about?
- Stage director Frank Castorf “might have been born to direct From the House of the Dead” (Opera Today). His gritty, visually striking adaptation brings bold modern and postmodern touches to Janáček’s masterwork without ever overshadowing the intense forward momentum of the music, conducted to dramatic perfection by Simone Young and sung by an all-star cast in Munich. Janáček adapted Dostoevsky for this powerfully compelling opera set in a Siberian prison camp, full of starkly contrasting moods and motifs, unusual in its episodic structure. The last opera Janáček ever composed, its third act was on his desk when he died in 1928; attempts by his students to “complete” his orchestration have largely fallen away over the decades in favor of the original version. Despite the grimness of the setting and the brutality of several characters, the composer’s compassion shines through in tender moments, movingly illustrating his motto for the work: “in every creature, a spark of God.”
- Who directed Janáček: From the House of the Dead?
- Janáček: From the House of the Dead was directed by Andy Sommer.
- Who stars in Janáček: From the House of the Dead?
- Janáček: From the House of the Dead stars Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Peter Rose, Evgeniya Sotnikova, Aleš Briscein, Charles Workman, Bo Skovhus.
- How long is Janáček: From the House of the Dead?
- Janáček: From the House of the Dead has a runtime of 1h 39m (99 minutes).
- What genre is Janáček: From the House of the Dead?
- Janáček: From the House of the Dead is a Music, Drama film.