Jenůfa

Opera by Leoš Janáček (libretto by composer after G Preissova; known in Czech as Jeji Pastorkyna/Her Foster-daughter); it was composed 1894–1903 and first produced in Brno (Czech Republic), on 21 January 1904. It was revised 1906–16 and performed in Prague on 26 May 1916 with some reorchestration by the conductor Karel Kovařovic (1862–1920). In the story, Jenůfa is to marry Steva, but she is disfigured by Steva's half-brother Laca, who later wins her love. Her step-mother the Kostelnička hides her while she bears Steva's child. After Steva rejects Jenůfa the Kostelnička drowns the baby, but later must pay the price.