Janacek's The Makropulos Case

In its first ever staging for the Royal Opera, Janacek's enigmatic modernist opera is sung by a stellar cast led by soprano Ausrine Stundyte and conducted by Music Director Jakub Hrůša.

World famous opera singer Emilia Marty has taken an elixir which has allowed her to live for over 300 years under different aliases, always with the initials EM. But the formula is running out, and getting hold of a document in a long-running court case is her only chance of extending it. But after centuries of love affairs and disappointment, does she really want to live forever?

Martin Handley presents, and is joined in the box by Nigel Simeone to discuss Janacek's startlingly haunting and modern score.

Janacek: The Makropulos Case

Emilia Marty.....Ausrine Stundyte (soprano)
Krista.....Heather Engebretson (soprano
Albert Gregor.....Sean Panikkar (tenor)
Baron Jaroslav Prus.....Johan Reuter (bass-baritone)
Dr Kolenatý.....Henry Waddington (bass-baritone)
Janek.....Daniel Matoušek (tenor)
Count Hauk-Šendorf.....Alan Oke (tenor)
Vítek.....Peter Hoare (tenor)
Stage door woman.....Susan Bickley (mezzo-soprano)
Hotel Maid.....Jingwen Cai (mezzo-soprano)
Security guard.....Jeremy White (bass)
Royal Opera Chorus
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Jakub Hrůša (conductor)