In this course you will learn:

• Why there has been an explosion of interest in Janácek
• How his unique approach to art developed in lonely obscurity
• How the "muse" of his later years was such a creative influence
• The key things to listen for in his very individual style.

Course outline:

Week 1: November 13th 2007 - JENUFA

A religious leader tries to save her step-daughter's life by committing infanticide -- a tragic choice -- which, surprisingly, becomes an inspiring story of redemption and forgiveness.

Week 2: November 20th 2007 - KAT'A KABANOVA

A married woman has an affair during her husband's absence and experiences the exhilarations and miseries of love. Janácek's insights into these polar opposites is heartbreaking.

Week 3: November 27th 2007 - THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN

A gamekeeper develops a deep understanding of the cycles of life leading to an understanding of the wisdom of a return to nature and to simplicity.

Week 4: December 4th 2007 - THE MAKROPOULOS CASE

What if the release of death could be postponed? Would a long life bring happiness? Janácek guides us through these intriguing questions with mature understanding and profound feeling.

Week 5: December 11th 2007 - From the HOUSE of the DEAD

This final work of genius, adapted from Dostoevsky's memoirs of his incarceration in a Siberian prison camp, demonstates that even the worst of us carries "a spark of God". Janácek's profound compassion for the human condition is here given its most mature expression.