An audacious update of a Dvořák classic in Prague

Kateřina Kněžíková (Rusalka)

Ester Pavlů (Foreign Princess) and Kateřina Kněžíková (Rusalka)

Jiří Hájek (Gamekeeper) and Arnheiður Eiríksdóttir (Turnspit)

Rusalka

By Frank Kuznik, 29 September 2024

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“the problem with this production isn’t a lack of ideas, but a surfeit of them”

Reviewed at National Theatre (Národní divadlo), Prague on 27 September 2024

Dvořák, Rusalka

Prague National Theatre Opera

David Švec, Conductor

SKUTR (Martin Kukučka and Lukáš Trpišovský), Director

Martin Chocholoušek, Set Designer

Simona Rybáková, Costume Designer

Karel Šimek, Lighting Designer

Prague National Theatre Orchestra

Prague National Theatre Chorus

Beno Blachut Jr, Dramaturgy

Kateřina Kněžíková, Rusalka

Alžběta Poláčková, Rusalka

Mykhailo Malafii, Prince

Aleš Briscein, Prince

František Zahradníček, Vodník, the water goblin

Peter Kellner, Vodník, the water goblin

Pavel Švingr, Vodník, the water goblin

Lucie Hilscherová, Ježibaba, the Witch

Jana Sýkorová, Ježibaba, the Witch

Ester Pavlů, Foreign Princess

Kateřina Jalovcová, Foreign Princess

Jiří Hájek, Gamekeeper, The Hunter

Csaba Kotlár, Gamekeeper, The Hunter

Arnheiður Eiríksdóttir, Kitchen Boy

Anna Moriová, Kitchen Boy

Adriana Banásová, First Wood Sprite

Yukiko Kinjo, First Wood Sprite

Alena Grach, Second Wood Sprite

Jarmila Vantuchová, Second Wood Sprite

Bella Adamova, Third Wood Sprite

Alžběta Vomáčková, Third Wood Sprite

Jan Kodet, Choreography

Lukáš Kozubík, Choirmaster / chorus director

Parsifal reconsidered: A provocative improvisation in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 26th March

Timo Riihonen and Ester Pavlů stand out in a strong cast which carries Andreas Homoki's revised version of Wagner's final opera.

****1

Musically excellent Bartered Bride in Prague marred by meta production

Dominic Lowe, 4th March

Smetana in Prague is never likely to be less than a delight, and the National Theatre assembles a fine cast for a revival of Alice Nellis' production of his greatest opera.

****1

In Prague, a high-minded new Rheingold never gets off the ground

Frank Kuznik, 12th February

Sláva Daubnerová's contemporary treatment of the Ring opener at the Prague National Theatre is socially ambitious but artistically disappointing.

***11

Dido and Aeneas in Prague: wide-eyed wonderment

David Karlin, 15th January

Alice Nellis' staging of Purcell's masterpiece is both historically faithful and innovatively modern. With Collegium 1704 providing the early music chops, it's a rare treat.

*****

Revival of Ostrčil’s The Legend of Erin misses the mark in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 16th October

An ambitious effort to honor hometown hero Otakar Ostrčil sags under its own weight at the Prague National Theatre.

***11

A bleak Jenůfa from Calixto Bieito

Frank Kuznik, 22nd May

The director drains the life out of an impassioned opera with a staging devoid of authenticity and ideas.

**111

More reviews...

Frank Kuznik

Frank Kuznik is the former Editor-in-Chief and Culture Editor of The Prague Post, Central Europe’s premier English-language weekly newspaper. He currently divides his time between Prague and his hometown in the US, Cleveland, where he covers northeast Ohio's dynamic classical music scene. In Prague he is an habitué of the Rudolfinum, National Theater, State Opera and other storied classical music venues, and an unabashed fan of Czech music.

An audacious update of a Dvořák classic at Prague's National Theatre