I’m still thinking about Martin Kusej’s Rusalka

The production is based on the Elisabeth Fritzl story, and it really made me reconsider this opera’s fairy tale storyline.

Fairy tales often have a dark subtext, and this production’s themes of child abuse and child imprisonment were hard to watch but always thought-provoking. I love the transformation of the often paternal Water Gnome into a cynical, monstrous rapist. This video also highlights Kristine Opolais in her rather brief vocal prime.

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