Russalka

Dvorak’s stunning score is so deliciously luscious that I forgot just how gruesome the plot of Russalka is. This Glyndebourne touring production wavers between the visually complex to the beautifully simplistic. I was transported by the elegant scenes of water spirits and Russalka’s plaintive laments and laughed out loud at the ravening wood spirits, the naughty drag witches and the silliness of the kitchen scenes. But my overall visual impression was sadly confused. Thank heavens then that the singing was so strong and the orchestra so beautifully controlled. Natasha Joule is stunning, Peter Berger too, but for my money the moment of the evening went to Tatiana Pavlovskaya whose soaring solo was breathtakingly beautiful.

Glyndebourne, 6 October 2012
Rating:
Andrew Kay