Act 1:

Kalinov is a small merchant town on the Volga. Kudriash is gazing at the river. He and the servant Glasha savour the vastness of the landscape. The two then watch as Boris is castigated by his uncle Dikoj. Boris tells Kudriash of his bond to his despotic uncle and the bleak life in Kalinov. (He and his sister are orphans. They will receive their inheritance only if they obey their uncle until they come of age.) This is how he wastes his youth. He has now fallen in love with a married woman. The girls Glasha and Feklusha gush about the beauty of Katya Kabanová. She is the married woman.

The Kabanov family is walking home from church. Kabanicha, Katya’s mother-in-law, scolds her son Tichon because he no longer loves his mother and honours only his wife. She insults Katya. Tichon is unable to defend himself. Boris and Katya look at one another. Katya tells her sister-in-law Varvara of her childhood.

She was happy. She loved church services and enjoyed day-dreaming. She is now afraid of herself, having fallen in love with Boris. Tichon is expected to undertake a business trip at his mother’s command. Before his departure, Katya begs him not to leave her alone. She forces him to forbid her to look at others. Kabanicha directs the ritual of Tichon’s departure.

Act 2:

Katya and Varvara are watched over by Kabanicha. Varvara plans to meet her lover, Kudriash. She gives Katya a key to the gate at the end of the garden and says that she will send Boris there. Katya takes the key after some hesitation. Kabanicha will not notice. Dikoj, who is drunk, pays a visit. He allows Kabanicha to scold him; he submits to her; they make love. Night-time. Kudriash waits for Varvara while Boris waits for Katya. Varvara arrives and announces Katya. Varvara and Kudriash disappear into the night. Boris waits. Katya arrives. They make love for the first time.

Act 3:

A thunderstorm is in the air. Kudriash and his friend Kuligin seek shelter from the rain. Dikoj appears and curses the wet. Kudriash explains the nature of thunderstorms as an electrical discharge and the function of lightning rods. In Dikoj’s mind, thunderstorms are punishments from God. Varvara tells Boris that Katya’s husband has returned and that Katya is confused and unhappy. Varvara fears that she will confess everything to her husband; his mother Kabanicha has long been suspicious. Boris is afraid. Katya, in tears, seeks advice from Varvara. She sees Boris.

She does not go to him. Katya falls to her knees before Tichon and Kabanicha and confesses to all that she has spent ten nights with Boris. She then runs away into the thunderstorm. Night has fallen. Tichon and Glasha, Kudriash and Varvara search for Katya. Katya is alone on the bank of the Volga. She meets various people.

She thinks that everyone despises and is ridiculing her. Suddenly, Boris appears before her. His uncle is sending him away to Siberia. Boris bids her farewell. He leaves. Katya wades into the water. She dies. Katya’s body is brought to Tichon. Tichon cries and curses his mother, she alone is responsible for Katya’s destruction. Kabanicha thanks the group for their sympathy. Kudriash and Varvara have left Kalinov.