Rusalka is an opera based
on Slavic mythology which is similar to the Hans Christian
Anderson’s The Little Mermaid. It's a love story of a water nymph who falls for a prince and decides
to transform into a human in order to experience
love in the human world but she can not change her innate nature. I was excited to experience this transformation and the Resonance Works production of this Czech opera in the intimate
setting of the Charity Randall Theater.
Rusalka |
Refection
Resonance Works, founded
in 2013, is a company that showcases orchestra, chorus, chamber music, opera
and musical theater. The company collaborates with others and performs at various Pittsburgh venues. This company gives artists a forum for their performance ideas and they produce one opera a year.
Ježibaba and Rusalka |
The Prince is enamored with the human Rusalka’s beauty and brings her back to his castle. Rusalka is like a “fish out of water” (no pun intended) and uncomfortable in her new
world. She sings that she is only "half human", lacking the ability to fully express mortal passion.
The Prince does not understand her coldness toward him and succumbs to the passionate flirtations of a visiting Foreign Princess. When he proclaims his love for her, the Prince sets in motion the damnation of Rusalka and his eventual kiss of death. Rusalka illustrates that no matter how hard you try or want something, sometimes you can not change your innate nature.
The Prince does not understand her coldness toward him and succumbs to the passionate flirtations of a visiting Foreign Princess. When he proclaims his love for her, the Prince sets in motion the damnation of Rusalka and his eventual kiss of death. Rusalka illustrates that no matter how hard you try or want something, sometimes you can not change your innate nature.
With Rusalka's kiss, the Prince dies |
This opera
demands strong soprano vocals as it weighs heavily with female characters. This production meets the needed vocal strength. Rusalka
(Rachele Schmiege) beautifully sings her
aria to the moon in the first act. The Foreign
Princess (Natalie Polito) shows her vocal power as she seduces the prince in Act 2 . The witch, Ježibaba (Laurel Semerdjian) has a unique tone as a robust mezzo-soprano.
There are times when the orchestra performes solo on an empty stage or as the characters stroll on the stage. This brings down the energy at times but the vocals remain consistantly strong and I particularly enjoyed the beautiful baritone, Vodnick (Micheal Scarcelle).
Gothic Charity Randall Theater (478) seats in Oakland |
I intend to keep Resonance Works in my empty nest survival tool box and look forward to exploring their 2018-19 season.
(Rusalka
runs on May 11 and May 13, 2018 at the
Charity Randall Theater in Oakland. For tickets go to http://www.resonanceworks.org.)
Spiritual Source
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)
Other Source
http://www.resonanceworks.org/
showcases
an orchestra, chorus, vocal soloists, chamber musicians, staged opera, and
musical theater
show showcases
an orchestra, chorus, vocal soloists, chamber musicians, staged opera, and
musical theate