09.02.2025

CHRISTIANE KARG as Rusalka at the Berlin State Opera

Rusalka, a water creature, has fallen in love with the seemingly unattainable prince. To find a place in his world and be close to him, she even gives up the power to speak and changes her shape. But can Rusalka live contrary to her nature? Can a love for which you have to deny your identity last?

Librettist Jaroslav Kvapil used various fairy tales and myths as a source for his psychological and symbolist text. Antonín Dvořák’s opulent and dazzling score, which turned out to be his first operatic success, is a true feat of composition whose complex subject matter is open to a wide range of interpretations. Kornél Mundruzcó, who recently staged the opera Sleepless by Peter Eötvös, which was awarded the Staatsoper "Premiere of the Year", emphasises the relevance of the material today in his interpretation. The piece is a drama about a woman’s soul as well as a modern fairy tale that raises questions about identity and physicality.

After the highly acclaimed premiere series in February 2024, Christiane Karg once again embodies - in the truest sense of the word - the title role in Dvořák's masterpiece and suffers through Rusalka's tragic love with fatal outcome.

Cast

Christiane Karg, Rusalka
Brian Jagde, The Prince
Anna Samuil, The Foreign Princess
Jongmin Park, Vodník
Anna Kissjudit, Ježibaba
Jaka Mihelač, Gamekeeper
Clara Nadeshdin, Kitchen boy
Maria Kokareva, First Wood Sprite
Rebecka Wallroth, Second Wood Sprite
Sandra Laagus, Third Wood Sprite
Taehan Kim, Hunter

Tomáš Hanus, Musical Director
Kornél Mundruczó, Director
Marcin Łakomicki, Revival Director
Monika Pormale, Set Design & Costumes
Felice Ross, Light
Rūdolfs Baltiņš, Video
Staatskapelle Berlin
Staatsopernchor