A staged English-language performance of Janácek's evocative song cycle. The least often staged of the composer's works for the human voice,'Diary'offers a wonderful platform for intimate storytelling through song as well as the opportunity to observe the close rapport between pianist and singers.The composer's muse for this piece as well as for many of his profoundly moving operas was Kamila Stosslova, his obsession and the object of his lifelong unrequited passion.An atmosphere of mystery surrounds the story of the village boy's forbidden love for a gypsy girl, performed by tenor Robert Murray and soprano Mary Bevan,accompanied by Richard Hetherington on the piano. Directed by Selina Cadell. As a prelude toDiarythe scene is set with a rendition ofJanácek'sMoravian Dances. (The composer carried out intensive folkloristic research and was inspired by Moravian and Slavonic folk music, which informed the distinctive musical style characteristic of many of his most celebrated operas.)
