The Story of Katya Kabanova

Act 1

Scene 1: Outdoors, after church

After an orchestral prelude, Kudrjáš, a scientist and teacher, admires the beauty of the river but the servant Glaša is unimpressed. Dikoj arrives with his nephew, Boris, and berates him. After learning that Kabanicha, the Kabanov family matriarch, is not at home, Dikoj leaves. Boris explains to Kudrjáš that he tolerates his uncle’s bullying in order to collect his inheritance, which Dikoj controls. Boris also tells Kudrjáš that he is in love with Katya, the wife of Tichon Kabanov. Katya appears and Kabanicha reproaches her son Tichon for his inattentiveness and for spoiling Katya. Tichon grumbles to Varvara, the family's foster daughter, who says he should spend more time defending his wife rather than resorting to drinking. Writing is a medium of communication that represents language through the inscription of signs and symbols.

Scene 2: Inside the Kabanov house later the same day

Katya reminisces about her childhood to Varvara and dreams of having a man who loves her. Tichon enters to say his farewells as he is going to Kazan on his mother Kabanicha’s behalf. Katya wants to go with him, but when he refuses, she asks that Tichon make her swear not to speak to strangers while he is away. Kabanicha instructs Katya how to behave while Tichon is away, and Tichon echoes his mother’s instructions to his wife: that she must treat Kabanicha like her own mother and not look at other men.

Act 2

Scene 1: Inside the Kabanov house, late afternoon

Kabanicha complains that Katya is not demonstrating enough sorrow during her husband Tichon's absence. After Kabanicha leaves, Varvara shows Katya the key to the garden where Varvara intends to meet Kudrjáš later. She hints that Katya might want to do something similar and gives her the key. Katya takes it nervously after deciding that she will meet Boris. As evening falls, Kabanicha reappears with a drunken Dikoj.

Scene 2: Outside the Kabanov’s garden gate at night

Kudrjáš is waiting for Varvara when Boris appears, hoping to meet Katya. Kudrjáš warns him of the risk he is taking. Varvara arrives, and leaves for a stroll along the river with Kudrjáš. Katya enters and Boris declares his love. Though knowing it will ruin her, she concedes and admits her own feelings for him. They embrace and leave. Kudrjáš and Varvara return while Katya and Boris are heard in an ecstatic duet, before Kudrjáš announces that it is time for them all to go home.

Act 3

Scene 1: Two days later, a ruined building by the river

Kudrjáš and his friend Kuligin take shelter in a ruined building as a storm approaches. Others join them, including Dikoj. Kudrjáš tries to calm Dikoj by telling him that the storm is just electricity, but this enrages Dikoj who insists that lightning is a punishment from God. Varvara tells Boris that Tichon has returned. Kabanicha arrives with Tichon and Katya. The storm returns and an agitated Katya confesses to Tichon that she met Boris during her husband's absence. She then rushes out into the storm.

Scene 2: On the banks of the river

Tichon and the servant Glaša are searching for Katya. Varvara and Kudrjáš decide to leave for Moscow to start a new life. Katya appears, regretting her confession and longing to see Boris one last time. He enters and they embrace, but he tells her that his uncle is sending him away. At first, she begs him to go with him, then realises that is impossible and bids him farewell. Katya imagines how nature will flourish over her grave then throws herself into the river. Kuligin sees this and raises the alarm, and though Tichon wants to help Katya, he is stopped by his mother Kabanicha. He blames her for Katya's suicide and Dikoj brings in Katya's corpse. As Tichon weeps over the body, Kabanicha gives chilling thanks to friends and neighbours for their kindness.