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L’OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL PRESENTS

JENŮFA

At Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts

From November 22 to 30

Tickets starting $30 https://operademontreal.com/programmes/jenufa

Montreal, QC - November 6, 2025 - The Opéra de Montréal presents Jenůfa, a masterpiece by Czech composer and librettist Leoš Janáček, staged by Atom Egoyan, one of the most internationally renowned filmmakers and a two-time Oscar nominee. Egoyan will be directing this moving work, which will premiere on 22 November at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts in Montreal.

“This work explores emotions that no other art form is capable of expressing. I have always used music as an essential element in my film work, sometimes even before shooting, with my composer Mychael Danna, and being able to bring this passion for cinema to opera.” Atom Egoyan, explaining how music is at the heart of his approach.

Synopsis :

In a remote Czech village bound by rigid traditions, Jenůfa, a courageous young woman, finds herself caught up in a heartbreaking tragedy. Pregnant by her unfaithful lover, she faces imminent dishonour. The dreaded Kostelnička, guardian of the village's morality, commits the unthinkable in order to protect the family's reputation. A timeless drama in which the light of redemption shines through the darkness of despair.

“Leoš Janáček's son had just died, and his beloved daughter was dying while he was composing this opera. The pain, the desire for love, the fear and the feeling of isolation are palpable,” says director Atom Egoyan, referring to the tragic and intimate dimension of the work.

The exceptional conductor Nicole Paiement will lead the Orchestre Métropolitain and the Chœur de l’Opéra de Montréal in a theatrical and musical experience that will leave no audience member indifferent. Janáček’s rich and expressive music makes every emotion palpable and every scene intensely vivid. Janáček's originality lies in his way of integrating Czech folklore, speech inflections, rhythms and intonations specific to spoken language into his music. He thus developed a very personal style, which gives his works great expressiveness and an almost dramatic closeness to the text.

“Despite the gap of more than a century, Jenůfa’s story remains contemporary in its exploration of human relationships and moral dilemmas. The uniqueness of Janáček’s musical language and distinctive style make it timeless. Jenůfa is one of the most powerful works of the 20th century,” says conductor Nicole Paiement.

With Jenůfa, Atom Egoyan seeks to return to simplicity and expressive power :

“In my other stage productions, I have often combined cinema and theatre through technology. Here, on the contrary, I want to strip the stage of all artifice to make a clear and essential expressionist statement. I also plan to use the chorus actively, to penetrate the characters' minds and convey their inner thoughts.” - Atom Egoyan

Discover Jenůfa in less than 7 minutes with Pierre Vachon, musicologist at the Opéra de Montréal :

CAST

An exceptional cast bringing together 13 artists who are residents or graduates of the Atelier lyrique**:

●     Jenůfa : Marie-Adeline Henry (France)

●     La Kostelnička : Katarina Karnéus (Sweden)

●     Laca : Edgaras Montvidas (Lithuania)

●     Števa : Isaiah Bell (2012 graduate of the Atelier lyrique)

●     Starek : Mikelis Rogers (2025 graduate of the Atelier lyrique)

●     Stefania Buryja : Megan Latham (Canada)

●     Rychtar (le Maire) : Colin Mackey (current Atelier lyrique)

●     Rychtarka (la Mairesse) : Camila Montefusco (Atelier lyrique 2026)

●     Karolka : Tessa Fackelmann (Atelier lyrique 2027)

●     Pastuchyna : Justine Ledoux (Atelier lyrique 2026)

●     Jano : Odile Portugais (Atelier lyrique 2027)

●     Barena : Bridget Esler (Atelier lyrique 2026)

●     Tetka : Ellita Gagner (Atelier lyrique 2027)

**A leading residence for Canadian opera singers, the Atelier lyrique offers a training programme – at the heart of the Opéra de Montréal – that serves as a springboard to a professional career.



CONCEPTION TEAM

●     Conductor : Nicole Paiement

●     Orchestra : Orchestre Métropolitain

●     Choir : Chœur de l’Opéra de Montréal

●     Staging : Atom Egoyan

●     Set design and costumes : Debra Hanson

●     Lighting : Michael Walton

●     Production : Opéra de Montréal & Pacific Opera Victoria

Performance dates;

●     November 22 7h30PM

●     November 27 7h30PM

●     November 30 2h00PM

Tickets from 30$, visit https://operademontreal.com/programmes/jenufa

ABOUT L’OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL

Firmly rooted in Montréal, at the crossroads of North American and European cultures, the Opéra de Montréal acts as a catalyst for the city’s artistic creativity and celebrates Québec and Canada’s rich vocal heritage. Bringing opera to life in all its diversity and daring, the company presents both the great classics of the repertoire and new works from here and abroad. Through its development program for Canada’s top young singers and its strong commitment to community and educational initiatives, the Opéra de Montréal creates unforgettable lyric events where everyone feels warmly welcomed and inspired.

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 Source: L'Opéra de Montréal

Pour plus d'informations:

Lyne Dutremble | annexe | lyne@annexe.media

Et/ou Maryse Bouchard | annexe | maryse@annexe.media