Rusalka

More than anything in the world, Rusalka, a mysterious and elusive water nymph, yearns to become human to win the heart of a young prince. But this metamorphosis comes at a price: she will lose her voice and be damned forever should their love story fail. To what lengths would you go to find happiness?

A lyrical fairy tale inspired by The Little Mermaid and nourished by Czech ballads, Rusalka is an opera of great depth. Already established for his symphonic music, Dvořák here reveals himself to be an opera composer of great lyrical intensity and beauty. Its highlight is often considered to be the wistful, haunting ‘Song to the Moon’, in which Rusalka asks the moon to reveal her love to the prince. For their new production for Dutch National Opera, directors Philipp Stölzl and Philipp M. Krenn present a young woman on the outskirts of society. At the cinema, she fantasises about living in the golden heyday of Hollywood, by the side of a handsome movie star. Conductor Joana Mallwitz leads the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, soprano Johanni van Oostrum sings the role of Rusalka. Czech tenor Pavel Černoch sings the role of the prince, and American mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis makes her debut as the witch Ježibaba. A timeless tale of dreams, desire and disappointment.