Antonín Dvorak: Rusalka

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Antonín Dvoráks next to last opera draws its substance from the underwater wonderland of little mermaids, Undines and Melusines: Rusalka, a water nymph, wishes to become human in order to be loved by the young prince. Despite being warned against it, she asks the witch Jeibaba to help her. In order for her wish to be fulfilled, Rusalka must give up her voice and face eternal damnation if her love fails. The prince also ignores all warnings and begins a relationship with Rusalka. However, he is very soon unfaithful to her. The broken-hearted Rusalka returns to the lake. The prince comes to find her for a last embrace, and dies. Jaroslav Kvapils libretto inspired Dvorák to compose a masterpiece, a compelling opera full of poignant lyricism and dramatic twists. Ádám Fisher and Stefan Herheim masterfully present this lyrical fairytale at La Monnaie. In this widely accled interpretation, the fairytale elements sometimes assume frighteningly realistic dimensions so that one might see this enchanting production as a psychoanalytical study of male fantasies and female archetypes. Review ------ "Myrto Papatanasiu, with the slightly severe look of a European runway model, sings an eloquent Rusalka, with a not improper touch of Slavic edge but a caressing piano, too. Pavel Cernoch is a handsomely lyrical Prince; Willard White unstintingly delivers all that Dvorak asks of his Vodnik, and Herheim of his Aquarius; Renee Morloc greedily munches on Jezibaba; and if Annalena Persson's Princess is even more unpleasantly squally than the norm for this ungrateful role, she perfectly suits Herheim's vision. Adam Fischer leads a beauitfully supple reading of the score that conservative opera-lovers can close their eyes and enjoy. Keep them open, though, and Herheim offers a vastly entertaining show--even if Dvorak would be unlikely to recognized the goings-on as his beloved Rusalka." --Opera News "Stefan Herheim is one of opera's most innovative directors, and he has given "Rusalka" a dark, carnival spin, seeing it not (as usual) from the perspective of its title character, a water sprite, but from that of the tormented gnome who longs for her. Williard Shite plays this role with intensity, and Adam Fischer leads a ferocious performance from the orchestra of La Monnaie in Brussels" --Zachary Woolfe, New York Times Gift Guide, 2014