Synopsis: Kat’a Kabanova

A provincial Russian town in the 1860s. The clerk Vanya Kudrjas rhapsodizes over the afternoon view of the river Volga. Two men approach the overbearing merchant Dikoj and his nephew, Boris Grigorjevic. When they discover that Kabanicha, matriarch of the neighboring Kabanov family, is not at home, Dikoj stalks off, leaving Boris to explain to his friend Vanya why he puts up with his uncle’s abuse: His parents are dead, and in order to collect his inheritance, he must treat his uncle with respect. As the Kabanovs return from Vespers, Boris confesses to Vanya that he is secretly in love with Káťa, the young wife of Tichon, Kabanicha’s son. The two men depart as Kabanicha berates Tichon for his lack of attentiveness. He tries to please her, as does Káťa, who tells her mother-in-law that they love and respect her. The two women enter the house as Tichon’s temper snaps at being told that he spoils his wife. Tichon complains to Varvara, foster daugher of the family, who retorts that Tichon would rather drink and forget his troubles than stand up for Káťa’s rights,

Kara tells Varvara how free and happy she felt as a child. She admits that she has fantasized about having a lover. Before she can say more, Tichon comes to say goodbye. He is leaving on a short trip. Káťa begs him not to go, or else to take her along, but he refuses. Kabanicha says it is time for Tichon to leave, adding that he must tell his wife how to behave. He dutifully repeats that Káťa must treat Kabanicha like her own mother, then hurries away.

Kabanicha criticizes Káťa for not making a display of grief over Tichon’s absence. After she has left, Varvara shows Káťa the key to the gate behind the garden. She plans to meet her lover there and hints that Káťa might want to do the same. Káťa hesitates but decides that fate has willed it: She will meet Boris. Kabanicha reenters with the drunken Dikoj, who complains that people take advantage of his softheartedness. As he demonstrates, blubbering, Kabanicha primly tells him to get hold of himself.

Waiting for Varvara, Vanya sings a song about an independent-minded girl like her. To his surprise, Boris appears, having received an invitation to a rendezvous. Varvara arrives and, with Vanya, heads for a walk by the river. When Káťa appears, Boris proclaims his love. She is hesitant at first, foreseeing ruin, but finally her long-repressed feelings pour out, and she embraces him. They too go for a walk. As the rapturous voices of the second couple are heard, Vanya and Varvara call to them that it’s time to go home.

Taking shelter from an approaching storm, Vanya and a friend, Kuligin, are joined by other strollers in a ruined building near the river. When Dikoj appears, Vanya tries to tell him about a new invention, the lightning rod, but this only angers Dikoj, who insists that storms are not electricity but God’s punishment. When the rain lets up, people start to leave, and Vanya runs into Boris and Varvara. The girl reports that Tichon is back, and Káťa seems very upset. Kabanicha approaches with Tichon and Káťa. Bystanders at first assume that Káťa is frightened by the storm, which has regained intensity, but she makes a confession to Tichon in front of everyone, saying that she dallied with Boris during her husband’s absence. Then, she runs out into the tempest.

As evening draws near, Tichon looks for Káťa along the river bank. Varvara and Vanya decide to escape to Moscow, where they can lead a life of their own. As the searchers move off, Káťa appears, aware that her confession served only to dishonor her and humiliate Boris. He wanders in, surprised to find her, and they embrace. His uncle is sending him away to another town, but what will become of Káťa? Her mind wandering, she bids him farewell. As he walks off in sorrow, she ponders how nature will renew itself over her grave, then throws herself into the river. On the far bank, Kuligin sees her jump and calls for help. Tichon rushes back, followed by

Kabanicha, whom he blames for Káťa’s self-destruction. Meanwhile, bystanders fetch a boat. When Dikoj brings Káťa’s body and lays it on the ground, Tichon flings himself down, sobbing. Coldly, Kabanicha bows to the bystanders, thanking them for their help.

Synopsis reprinted courtesy of Opera News.