Premiered on 2nd February, the historically second production of Dvořák’s Rusalka at the Metropolitan Opera in New York meets with very mixed reactions. The critics cannot seem to agree in their opinion both on Mary Zimmerman’s direction and the singers’ performance.
Who gets mostly enthusiastic reactions is the American mezzosoprano Jamie Barton in the role of Ježibaba; some, on the other hand, have found the Latvian soprano Kristīne Opolais in the title role of Rusalka not wholly convincing. The cast also includes Katarina Dalayman as the Foreign Princess, Brandon Jovanovich as the Prince and Eric Owens as the Water Sprite. The orchestra was led by the MET debutant, British conductor Mark Elder. Sung in Czech, the opera will be staged seven times more at MET with the penultimate performance on February 25 being broadcasted live in 25 Czech cinemas. In Prague, the live screenings are, not surprisingly, sold out, yet there are still a few tickets remaining for the broadcast on March 18 in the Aero cinema.
2 February 2017, The Metropolitan Opera, New York
Antonín Dvořák: Rusalka (premiere)
Directed by: Mary Zimmerman, music director: Mark Elder
further performances: Feb 6, 9, 13, 17, 21 and 25, Mar 2 2017