Antonin Dvořák: Rusalka – Sally Matthews

Praised by critics as “magnificent”, “breathtakingly theatrical” and full of “zestful imagination”, Melly Still’s “spine-tingling” Rusalka is a Glyndebourne classic – a magical contemporary reimagining of a much-loved fairy tale. Light and darkness, beauty and danger come together in this passionate tale of love against the odds. At once evocative and unsettling, this production collides two contrasting worlds in Rae Smith’s elegant designs made of “brilliant stage-pictures”. Rusalka’s forest home is a dappled space of sunshine and shadows, full of strange woodland creatures, while the Prince’s court is a world of sleek modernity and sophistication – a world of man.

A deeply satisfying production…Spectacular to look at, too, with death-defying stage flying…the closing pages of the score blaze rather than smoulder with Robin Ticciati and the LPO playing their hearts out as the Prince begs Rusalka for the kiss that will bring death. Sally Matthews is magnificent. She may not sing Rusalka as ‘beautifully’ as others have, but she is a consummate performer…Fairy stories are rarely well-mannered – this Rusalka is no exception. — BBC Music Magazine, November 2020, 5 out of 5 stars (Performance) / 4 out of 5 stars (Picture and Sound)