Rusalka

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

As a huge fan of opera, I loved this production of Rusalka. Dvorak's music is gorgeous and the story magical. The costumes, lighting and sets are all very striking and atmospheric, perhaps lacking a more fairy-tale-like feel, but what there was was really beautiful. The orchestra and conducting are spot on too, in terms of staging the symmetrical mirroring scene in Act 2 is very effective in particular and the direction and video directing just adds to the enchantment. Renee Fleming, who I have always loved is wonderful in the lead role, her Song to the Moon is just breathtaking and her final duet with Larin is riveting. Sergei Larin is in great voice, Franz Hawletta is very touching, Eva Urbanova is very scary in her role as the evil princess and Larissa Diadkova is appropriately impish. Overall, absolutely wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Dvorak's music is always wonderful. The singing is glorious. The orchestra is also good And the sound, in DTS, is excellent. But this is a fairy story. It has woodlands and a forest lake. There is a Water Goblin, nymphs, a witch and a prince. And what do we get. A stark modern set. No lake just a rectangular swimming pool, with just enough water so that the Water Goblin can appear to walk on water. The goblin himself wears a suit, shirt and tie, hat and overcoat – just as you would expect from a goblin. The nymphs and Rusalka wear cotton nightdresses. The Prince wears a suit and tie and has a modern beard. The bedroom is stark with very modern furniture. Why? What's wrong with a production that shows us it really is a fairy-tale? Is it lack of money, lack of imagination, or simply that everything must be brought up-to-date and then ruined. So that I found myself tempted to switch off the viewing and just listen to the glorious music and singing. Full marks to the sound nothing for the sight. I could have stayed with the CDs.