UBC School of Music presents Dvořák’s dreamy Rusalka, June 23 to 26

The UBC Opera Ensemble, guest conductor Norbert Baxa, and members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra to perform the Czech masterpiece

The UBC School of Music presents Rusalka at the Old Auditorium (6344 Memorial Road) June 23 to 25 at 7:30 pm and June 26 at 2 pm

THE UBC OPERA Ensemble, guest conductor Norbert Baxa, and members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra are performing Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka, one of the most beloved Czech operas of all time, sung in Czech with English surtitles.

Described as opera’s answer to The Little Mermaid, Rusalka is based on Slavic folklore and mythology. Rusalka is water sprite in love with a prince who comes to swim in the lake. She confides in her father Vodník, the water gnome, of her desire to have a human soul of her own. Despite his trepidation, he steers her to Ježibaba, the forest witch, to grant her wish. Ježibaba agrees to turn Rusalka into a human, but there’s a catch, of course: in doing so, she will lose her immortality and her ability to speak. Ježibaba also warns that if the prince rejects Rusalka, he will die and she will be eternally damned.

Dvořák’s lush score is a masterpiece of the Czech operatic repertoire. With conductor Norbert Baxa guiding the UBC Opera Ensemble and members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, the production evokes a mythical landscape with stage direction by Nancy Hermiston, lighting design by Jeremy Baxter, projections by Jacob Wan, dreamy set design by Alessia Carpoca, and costume design by Parvin Mirhady.

All roles are double cast. Rusalka will be performed by Sarah Anderson-Caulfield and Catherine Thornsley; the Prince by Ian McCloy and Wanshuai Yu; Vodník by Liam Robertson and Philip Wing; and Ježibaba by Katie Fraser and Alyssa Nicole Samson,, among other roles.

Tickets and full details are at http://www.ubcoperatickets.com or 604-822-6725.

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