A return to the Opéra national de Paris for Dvořák’s ‘Rusalka’

Beginning this month, Susanna Mälkki returns to the Opéra national de Paris to conduct Dvořák’s Rusalka. Ms. Mälkki’s past engagements with the company include Janáček’s The Makropolous Case in 2013 and the world premiere of Francesconi’s Trompe-la-Mort in 2017 where she received tremendous praise:

“Women have little to say in this world; the opera fails the Bechdel test. That makes the presence of Susanna Mälkki on the podium doubly fortuitous. Her command is formidable, her clarity gives the evening form and momentum.” (Financial Times)

“Assured and brilliant in her musical direction, Susanna Mälkki combines the instruments like so many voices, trying to join forces on gently elusive tonics. It draws all the colours that the musicians of the Orchestre de l’Opéra national de Paris are capable of and that the score follows one after the other.” (Olyrix)

Dvořák’s romantic and mythical tale returns to the Opéra Bastille in a production by Robert Carsen, with costume and set design by Michael Levine. Running from January 29 through February 13, the cast includes Camilla Nylund in the title role, Klaus Florian Vogt as the Prince, Karita Mattila as the Foreign Princess, Thomas Johannes Mayer as the Water Sprite, and Michelle de Young as Ježibaba.