RUSALKA Dvořák – National Theatre Brno

The water nymph Rusalka longs for life above the water, for love and a human soul. The witch knows the way, but the price is high. Rusalka loses her ability to speak but what good is speech when for her beloved prince she is just a wave on the water. Above the surface, the world of men turns out to be cruel and full of betrayal, over which even her pure love cannot prevail.

Since its premiere in 1901, Dvořák’s Rusalka has been one of the most beloved and most performed Czech operas, not only thanks to its beautiful music but also Jaroslav Kvapil’s poetic and richly symbolic libretto. This lyrical fairy tale is a fateful drama about unfulfilled desires and human failure, about the contradictory conflict between love and erotic desire, a drama about the sinful human soul. OperaVision streams live the premiere of National Theatre Brno’s new production is directed by David Radok. Based on Lars-Åke Thessman’s original set design for Rusalka at the Gothenburg Opera 2012, we can expect a multi-layered production full of strong emotions.

Full performance streamed LIVE on OperaVision on 6 September 2025 at 19:00 CET and available until 6 March 2026 at 12:00 CET: https://operavision.eu/performance/rusalka-3

CAST

Rusalka
Linda Ballová

Prince
Peter Berger

Waterman
Jan Šťáva

Foreign Princess
Eliška Gattringerová

Witch
Václava Krejčí Housková

Wood nymph 1
Doubravka Novotná

Wood nymph 2
Jarmila Vantuchová

Wood nymph 3
Monika Jägerova

Hunter
Tadeáš Hoza

Orchestra
Janáček Opera NdB Orchestra

Chorus
Janáček Opera NdB Chorus

Music
Antonín Dvořák

Text
Jaroslav Kvapil

Director
David Radok

Conductor
Marko Ivanović

Set design
David Radok
based on Lars-Ake Thessman's concept

Costumes
Zuzana Ježková

Choreography
Andrea Miltnerová

Lighting
Přemysl Janda

Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.

Managed by Opera Europa, OperaVision is a freeview streaming platform supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe funding programme. Between 2025 and 2028, Creative Europe’s support will help Opera Europa to promote and train emerging artists working in opera and dance. Known as Opera Europa Next Generation, this initiative will give visibility and development opportunities to over 560 emerging artists – in person and online, including via OperaVision – and all thanks to the efforts of a consortium of 44 opera houses and talent development organisations from 17 European countries.

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