In Detail

The original story is perfectly translated into a musical score full of colour and magic where it is possible to perceive a Wagnerian influence, especially in the river currents of 'Der Ring des Nibelungen'. There are also considerable similarities with another wonderful aquatic fable of sacrifice and redemption: 'Sadko' (1898) by Rimski-Kórsakov.

Notwithstanding, the composer did not renounce his Bohemian roots for he left a mark on a large part of his creations as an artist committed to Czech music and culture. As of the last decades of the 20th century, its presence on the world stage has consolidated and today 'Rusalka' is one of the twenty most performed operas; surprisingly it has never been performed since the re-inauguration of the Teatro Real.

Ivor Bolton (Conductor)
Christof Loy (Stage Direction)
Asmik Grigorian (Soprano) : Rusalka
Eric Cutler (Tenor)
Karita Mattila (Soprano) : Cizi Knezna
Maxim Kuzmin-Karavaev (Bass) : Vodnik
Katarina Dalayman (Soprano) : Ježibaba
Sebastià Peris (Baritone) : Lovec
Manel Esteve (Baritone) : Hajny
Juliette Mars (Mezzo-soprano) : Kuchtik

Julietta Aleksanyan (Soprano) : First nymph
Rachel Kelly (Mezzo-soprano) : Second nymph
Alyona Abramova (Mezzo-soprano) : Third nymph

Sung in Czech with English subtitles
Recorded 25 Nov 2020 - Teatro Real | Madrid
180m approx. including interval

Tickets £17.50 (Friends £15)