Sponsored by
Review: Rusalka
At Leeds Grand Theatre
IT'S been seven years since Giselle Allen took the lead in Dvorak's tragic ode to unconditional and unrequited love. It's almost as if time stood still.She appears untouched by the passing years and, as a result, remains the perfect choice to play Rusalka visually.
Vocally Allen is also superb as the besotted water nymph who sacrifices her own happiness to be with the man she adores. Her voice is mesmeric and precise, never more obvious than when she takes on the famous aria Song to the Moon.
Hers is a controlled but no less powerful rendition which stops well short of the histrionic showboating that sopranos seeking divadom might indulge themselves in.
That's not to say that Allen lacks any of the gusto to take on such a role. In the second act she proves this with some jaw-dropping performances of arias which are actually more explosive, but less well known that Song to the Moon.
The staging itself isn't quite as impressive. The set is reasonably effective but basic and seems to lack some of the wow factor that many Opera North productions boast.
This is compensated for by some impressive lighting and making the most of what stage furniture was provided but there's no doubt this rests uncomfortably between minimal and uninspiring.
Does Rusalka need the visual fireworks? You could argue not, but this really is a masterpiece and it seems a pity not to exploit every element and heighten the whole experience.
Thankfully there are some indomitable elements maintaining the overriding appeal of this opera, namely the likes of Richard Angas, a consummate bass who appears here as the water sprite lamenting the loss of his beloved Rusalka to the sorrowful existence of humankind.
Then there's that lush score which highlights Dvorak's true skill as a composer even if he wasn't a master when it came to creating opera (this being his only real hit).
Overall, some incredible performances worthy of the piece and heartening to see Rusalka back – even if it isn't quite back with the bang it deserves.
=Tonight and June 5, 9 and 11, Leeds Grand Theatre, New Briggate, Leeds, 7pm, 10 to 58. Tel: 0844 8482705 or visit www.leedsgrandtheatre.co.uk.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
