Jenufa - (Janácek Opera Libretti) by Timothy Cheek (Hardcover)

About the Book

Drawing on both scholarly studies and production experience, Timothy Cheek presents an original English-language translation of the original Czech libretto of Leos Janáček's, most famous opera, Jenůfa. Cheek also provides background on the opera, a discussion about the various...

Book Synopsis

Drawing on both scholarly studies and production experience, Timothy Cheek presents an original English-language translation of the original Czech libretto of Leos Janáček's, most famous opera, Jenůfa. Cheek also provides background on the opera, a discussion about the various voice types and roles, Janáček's style and performance traditions, and a summary of Czech pronunciation and inflection.

Review Quotes

An invaluable resource for any singer or coach studying Jenůfa. Timothy Cheek is a master Czech specialist and this is a throughly comprehensive exploration into the pronunciation and comprehension of the plot and text of Janáček's masterpiece. This is a book that should be in every singer's library as they prepare for a production of Jenůfa.

Timothy Cheek's books have been indispensable for me at every stage of learning a part, from the initial encounter with the diction and background of the piece to the mastering the finer points of interpretation. The precision with which he approaches the subject is staggering, and I consult the books over and over; I would not travel to a production without them! In opening the Czech repertoire to English speakers Timothy Cheek has made an invaluable contribution, one crucial to my career. What is more, the love for the music underlying his scholarship has been a source of inspiration.
With the "Jenufa" volume, Timothy Cheek sheds light on one of the most moving and beautiful operas ever written. I am sure singers, teachers, coaches, anybody who loves this music will benefit greatly from it.

Timothy Cheek's word-for-word translations and IPA of Jenůfa have been very helpful in preparing for our production at San Francisco Opera!

About the Author

A leading expert on Czech vocal music, Timothy Cheek is pianist, vocal coach, and professor of performing arts at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater & Dance in Ann Arbor. He is the author of Singing in Czech: A Guide to Czech Lyric Diction and Vocal Repertoire (2001), The Janácek Opera Libretti, volumes I (2003), II (2004) and III (2016), The Bartered Bride, Prodaná nevesta: Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation (2010), and Rusalka: A Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation (2012), published by Scarecrow Press and Rowman & Littlefield.