Rusalka – an Opera about a mermaid

Although Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Dvorák’s Rusalka are based on the same Hans Christian Andersen fable, this isn’t your daughter’s Ariel. A hauntingly poetic libretto matched with a lush score, Rusalka tells the story of a lovely yet lovelorn mermaid who yearns to become human. The searing aria, Song to the Moon, is filled with longing as she prays for the prince to return her love. Her wish is granted, but she discovers that what we desire can also destroy and redemption is seldom granted.

Kansas City’s Lyric Opera brings Rusalka to the Kauffman Center November 7, 11, 13 and 15.  Academy Award-winning Tony and Emmy Award-nominated director Eric Simonson will make his Lyric Opera of Kansas City debut as he brings his talents to the Muriel Kauffman Theatre stage to direct Rusalka. Ellie Dehn returns to play the tormented heroine of Rusalka after her highly lauded performance in the 2013 Lyric Opera production of La Bohème as Musetta. This is not only the first Dvořák opera produced by the Lyric Opera of Kansas City but the first Czech opera for the Company and Kansas City audiences.

In the opening act, Rusalka, a mermaid, sits sadly by the water and laments to her father, Vodník, that she is in love with a human – the Prince. She met the prince when he came to swim in the lake and instantly fell in love. She now wants to be with him as a human. To make the transformation, she summons a witch, who agrees to make a potion. But the potion comes with conditions. Once human, if she doesn’t find love, both her and the prince will be eternally damned. She finds the prince, and he falls in love with her.

At the Prince’s castle the Prince and Rusalka enter and he expresses his frustration about how cold Rusalka has been. A foreign princess, who has arrived for the wedding, catches the Prince’s eye. The Prince sends Rusalka away so he can accompany the foreign princess to mingle with wedding guests.

In the garden, Vodník appears in the lake. Rusalka runs to him and begs for his help, telling him that the Prince has rejected her. The Prince and foreign princess enter, and the Prince confesses his love for the foreign princess. Vodník warns the Prince of his fate, and disappears into the water with Rusalka. The Prince asks the foreign princess for help, but she tells him to follow his love to hell.

Back at the lake, Rusalka mourns her fate to the witch who says that she can avoid her fate by killing the Prince.  But Rusalka refuses, and sinks into the lake.

The Prince enters, and asks Rusalka to return to the castle with him. She refuses and explains that if she kisses him now, he will die. The Prince begs her to kiss him and give him peace. She does, and he dies in her arms. Rusalka asks for mercy on his soul and disappears into the water.

The Opera is sung in Czech with English titles. It is appropriate for children 11+.

Performances of the Lyric Opera’s Rusalka are November 7, 11, 13 and 15, in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets range from $39 t $169, and can be bought online at both www.kauffmancenter.org, and www.kcopera.org. They are also available through Ticketing & Patron Services at (816) 471-7344.

The Gayly – November 4, 2015 @ 10:20 a.m.