The inspiration for the opera came from a visit by Janáček in the summer of 1903, after the death of his daughter Olga, to the spa at Luhačovice.

[1] One day after the Brno stage premiere, a version where the libretto was considerably revised (by Kurt Honolka) was produced at Stuttgart Opera.

[2] The first UK staging was in 1984 at English National Opera, produced by David Pountney, in a translation by Rodney Blumer, but with Janáček's original plot structure intact.

While their young son Doubek plays, the couple read through the unfinished opera Živný began during their separation.

Míla's mother, losing her mind completely, repeats snatches of music from the opera before rushing to throw herself off a balcony.

Tormented by regret, he asks Doubek to fetch a glass of water and then collapses, saying that the end of the opera must remain in God's hands.