Irish National Opera’s new Rusalka intrigues more than it convinces

Jennifer Davis (Rusalka)

Michelle DeYoung (Ježibaba) and Jennifer Davis (Rusalka)

Ryan Capozzo (Prince) and Giselle Allen (Foreign Princess)

Ante Jerkunica (Vodník) and Jennifer Davis (Rusalka)

Rachel Croash, Sarah Richmond and Alexandra Urquiola (Wood sprites)

By Andrew Larkin, 23 March 2026

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“less a romantic fantasy than a troubling act of self-erasure”

Reviewed at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin on 22 March 2026

Dvořák, Rusalka

Irish National Opera

Fergus Sheil, Conductor

Netia Jones, Director, Set Designer, Costume Designer, Video

Lotta Hammarstrand, Lighting Designer

Irish National Opera Orchestra

Irish National Opera Chorus

Jennifer Davis, Rusalka

Ryan Capozzo, Prince

Ante Jerkunica, Vodník, the water goblin

Michelle DeYoung, Ježibaba, the Witch

Giselle Allen, Foreign Princess

Rachel Croash, First Wood Sprite

Sarah Richmond, Second Wood Sprite, Kitchen Boy

Alexandra Urquiola, Third Wood Sprite

Benjamin Russell, Gamekeeper

Andrew Masterson, The Hunter

Irish National Opera’s Bartered Bride shines

Andrew Larkin, 22nd November

A tiny stage and five musicians prove no obstacle to Irish National Opera’s lively, witty Bartered Bride, where sharp casting and clever direction turn modest means into genuine delight.

****1

A rollicking Wild West Elisir in Dublin that hits all the right notes

Andrew Larkin, 27th May

Donizetti heads West in Cal McCrystal's riotous, laugh-out-loud L'elisir d’amore, where dazzling singing meets cowboy capers in a gloriously zany production for Irish National Opera.

*****

Charting new waters: Flying Dutchman brings Wagner back to Ireland

Andrew Larkin, 23rd March

Ireland’s first Wagner opera in over a decade dazzles with a captivating production by Rachael Hewer for Irish National Opera.

****1

Terrifically strong principals in Irish National Opera’s Rigoletto

Andrew Larkin, 1st December

Michael Chioldi, Soraya Mafi and Bekhzod Davronov shine in Julien Chavez’ energetic production in Dublin’s Bord Gais Theatre.

****1

Strong voices shine amidst Fuchs' superficially garish Traviata

Andrew Larkin, 21st May

Strong vocals from the three principal singers and a sure musical direction from young conductor Farrell help offset some of the less than convincing elements to Olivia Fuchs' production.

***11

Gold medal for Irish National Opera's L’Olimpiade at Covent Garden

Roy Westbrook, 13th May

Venetian Baroque opera once had a raison d'être of spectacular and complex stagings, but Daisy Evans makes us see that other ways are possible.

****1

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Andrew Larkin

Andrew Larkin is a pianist, composer and teacher from Dublin. Educated at Dublin and at Cambridge, he has performed all around Europe and Mexico. He currently teaches piano and composition in Dublin.