Rusalka at Festival Theatre

Antony McDonald’s five-star production of Rusalka brings one of the most poignant fairy tales in opera to life. Full of quirky characters, and with more than a nod to Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, his enchanting production contrasts sweet, touching moments of beauty with the dark and menacing story at its core.

Rusalka, a water nymph, longs to be human so she can earn the love of the Prince. The witch, Ježibaba, grants her wish but there are two conditions: Rusalka cannot use her voice, and she will be cursed for eternity if the Prince does not remain true to her. Just when it seems that Rusalka will get everything her heart desires, a foreign princess starts to turn the Prince’s head...

Dvo?ák’s lusciously romantic score moves from beautifully lyrical moments of passion and heartbreak like the famous ‘Song to the Moon’, to charming passages of folk-inspired melodies. Anne Sophie Duprels (Madama Butterfly 2014) is Rusalka, bass-baritone Sir Willard White is her father, and tenor Peter Wedd (Inés de Castro and Jen?fa 2015) is the Prince. Stuart Stratford conducts his first Scottish Opera production as Music Director.