Antonín Dvořák's next to last opera draws its substance from the underwater wonderland of little mermaids, Undines and Melusines: Rusalka, a water nymph, wishes to become human in order to be loved by the young prince. Despite being warned against it, she asks the witch Ježibaba to help her. In order for her wish to be fulfilled, Rusalka must give up her voice and face eternal damnation if her love fails. The prince also ignores all warnings and begins a relationship with Rusalka. However, he is very soon unfaithful to her. The broken-hearted Rusalka returns to the lake. The prince comes to find her for a last embrace, and dies. Jaroslav Kvapil's libretto inspired Dvořák to compose a masterpiece, a compelling opera full of poignant lyricism and dramatic twists. Ádám Fisher and Stefan Herheim masterfully present this 'lyrical fairytale' at La Monnaie. In this widely acclaimed interpretation, the fairytale elements sometimes assume frighteningly realistic dimensions so that one might see this enchanting production as a psychoanalytical study of male fantasies and female archetypes.

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