Rusalka (2002) (TV)

User Rating:

8.4/10   

Director:

François Roussillon

Writer:

Jaroslav Kvapil (libretto)

Release Date:

21 December 2002 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Romance | Music

Plot Keywords:

Opera

Cast

Renée Fleming	...	Rusalka
Sergej Larin	...	Le prince (as Sergei Larin)
Larissa Diadkova	...	Jezibaba
Franz Hawlata	...	L'Esprit du Lac
Eva Urbanová	...	La Princesse étrangère
Michel Sénéchal	...	Le Garde Forestier
Karine Deshayes	...	Le Garçon
Michelle Conniccioni	...	Première Nymphe
Svetlana Lifar	...	Deuxième Nymphe
Nova Javakhidze	...	Troisième Nymphe
Kevin Greenlaw	...	La voix d'un chasseur
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert Carsen	...	Himself - Mise en scène
James Conlon	...	Himself - Direction musicale

Runtime:

France:160 min

Country:

France

Language:

Czech

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Company:

François Roussillon et Associés

Movie Connections:

Version of The Little Mermaid (1993) (V)

Glorious voices and brilliant settings

This production by the Paris National Opera is not only for opera buffs. Sung in the original Czech and starring the inimitable American soprano Renee Fleming, it is a feast for the eye and the ear. The production is 'surprisingly' modern with an opening set consisting of a six inch deep pool with real water surrounded by tall walls. This is eerily lit and suggest the depths of the lake the sprites are finding themselves in. Rusalka has fallen in love with a human being and she desires to be turned into a human as well. This could only spell disaster for the water nymph, as the Spirit of the Water warns her, but she summons the witch Jezibaba nevertheless and her wish is fulfilled.

The scene changes constantly with magic sets, all stark and simple yet terribly striking, enhancing the magic and tragic feel. Rusalka's Prince is wooing a Princess from another country....

Antonin Dvorak's music is glorious, Rusalka has the most astonishing arias - which Renee Fleming delivers in a spine-chillingly beautiful fashion - and the other voices, especially baritone Franz Hawlata as L'esprit Du Lac (unfortunately translated as Water Goblin) and Larissa Diadkova as Jezibaba are magnificent. One forgives the Prince for not being fairytale handsome - Ms Fleming being so attractive at that - because of his passion and his timbre. The direction is inventive, innovative and enchanting. The subtitles are easy to follow and anyone with a penchant for drama, mystery, music and love will be swept away by Rusalka's waves. A must see. 10/10