Take the Monnaie and run

“Though Mr. Herheim’s work is rigorous, it is also fun, and this Rusalka is serious but the opposite of dour.”

By La Cieca

March 9, 2012

“Though Mr. Herheim’s work is rigorous, it is also fun, and this Rusalka is serious but the opposite of dour. It’s a circus: brightly colored and full of dancing and neon lights. The ball scene becomes a full-theater party, with confetti cannons fired from the upper balconies. The production is as scrupulous in its deconstruction of the text as a Wooster Group show, but with the joyous excess of Franco Zeffirelli’s Metropolitan Opera production of Turandot.” Zachary Woolfe reviews Stefan Herheim‘s production of Rusalka at La Monnaie.

The theater will offer a webcast version of this Rusalka beginning March 27; in the meantime here’s a trailer for the Dresden Semperoper’s presentation.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGRW8N5CWWQ

Photo: Sébastien Forthomme

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.