Melbourne review wrap: Katya Kabanova by Victorian Opera

OPERA

Katya Kabanova ★★★★★

Victorian Opera, Palais Theatre, until October 16

Czech composer Leos Janacek suffered a long obsession with a four-decades-younger married woman. His passion was entirely unrequited, but music lovers got incalculable benefits as Kamila Stosslova inspired a string of compositions, including Katya Kabanova – one of the great but rarely performed operas of the 20th century.

Desiree Frahn and Andrew Goodwin in a scene from Katya Kabanova. Credit: Jeff Busby

It is the story of a young wife who endures a bullying mother-in-law and a weak husband under the thumb of his mother.

Victorian Opera’s production scored at every turn, with a splendid Australian cast, ingenious and creative production, and daring and clever use of live black and white video througho