Káťa Kabanová (also known in various spellings including Katia, Katja, Katya, and Kabanowa) is an opera in three acts, with music by Leoš Janáček to a libretto by the composer based on The Storm, a play by Alexander Ostrovsky, translated by Vincenc Červinka [cs].
Although he was 67 when it was premiered, Káťa Kabanová is a clear response to Janáček's feelings for Kamila, and the work is dedicated to her.
František Neumann, the conductor of the opera's first performance, made changes that were incorporated into the first publication of the score in 1922 by Universal Edition.
[1] Note: The name of the opera and the main character is usually transliterated in English as Káta, Kata or Katya because of the Czech diacritics.
Váňa Kudrjáš admires the view of the Volga River, which amuses the more literal-minded housekeeper of the adjoining Kabanov estate.
Boris also tells Váňa Kudrjáš that he is secretly in love with Káťa, the young wife of Tichon.
Káťa appears and Kabanicha reproaches her son Tichon – Kaťa's husband – for his inattentiveness.
Tichon complains to Varvara, the family's foster daughter, who rebukes him for retreating into drinking more than defending Káťa.
In the house, Káťa tells Varvara of her happy childhood, and dreams of having a man who truly loves her.
Káťa then asks him to make her swear an oath to speak to no strangers during his absence, which puzzles Tichon.
Káťa and Boris are heard in wordless, ecstatic duet as Váňa and Varvara say that it is time to return home.
Váňa Kudrjáš and Kuligin are strolling near the river when an approaching storm causes them to take shelter in a ruined building.
As her sanity deteriorates, she first begs him to be allowed to accompany him, then insists that she could not and bids him farewell; he leaves in sorrow.