Opera
DVOŘÁK: Rusalka
Metropolitan Opera, New York
Renée Fleming, soprano (Rusalka)
Piotr Beczala, tenor (the prince)
Dolora Zajick, mezzo-soprano (Ježibaba)
Otto Schenk, staging
6 representations, from January 23 to February 8, 2014
“The cast and orchestra did a brilliant job in depicting the enchanted opening scene with Nézet-Séguin giving us some exquisitely delicate textures and colouring and three wood sprites providing perfectly blended harmonies.”
“Yannick Nézet-Séguin kept a firm grip on the evening’s proceedings achieving an astonishing variety of shimmering orchestral textures and sonorities and providing a flexible and responsive accompaniment to the singers (the introduction to the ‘Song to the Moon’ was exceptionally fine). The score oscillates between darkness and light and between intense lyricism and high drama and Nézet-Séguin succeeded in synthesizing all these elements. I was particularly impressed with Act 2 where the orchestra successfully conveyed the turmoil of the silent Rusalka, and with the courtly dance section which was dispatched with supreme elegance and decorum.”
R. Beattie, Sean and Heard international, 10 février 2014.
An enchanting Rusalka at the MET Opera
“From the charged, subtle opening, Mr Nézet-Séguin kept the orchestra sounding more lively and cohesive than I’ve heard at the Met for some time.”
“Mr Nézet-Séguin led the orchestra to the tragic yet somehow triumphant closing cymbal crashes. Although I typically don’t sympathize with water nymphs, Rusalka’s story—and her music—will remain with me for quite some time.”
R. Lentjes, Bachtrack, January 26, 2014
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“With its echoes of both bicentennial boys, Wagner and Verdi, Dvořák’s score is a tremendous vehicle for an ensemble like the Met Orchestra, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin led the musicians in an intense and sumptuous performance. A conductor of singular passion, he produces adventurous readings, but the rewards are usually substantial. So it was on Thursday, as his grandly sculpted, richly charactered direction more than made up for a smattering of ensemble lapses, plumbing every depth of Dvořák’s richly layered writing. He was fabulously attentive to the needs of his singers, and brought out ferocity and tenderness both from all sections of the orchestra.”
E.C.Simpson, New York Classical Review, January 24, 2014
“There’s something else ‘special’ about this production, and that is Yannick himself. His masterful direction of Dvorak’s lush, Romantic score breathed new life into what would normally be a rather dark, dreary and downright depressing tale of ill-fated humanity.”
“His enthusiasm, passion and interpretation of Dvorak’s score lead to numerous ovations every time he took to the podium between acts.”
“Still it was Yannick who shined. The crowd ultimately went wild for his robust control of the score. His impassioned conducting lead the evening’s performance to great musical heights.”
B. Buttler, Phillymag.com, January 24, 2014
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