The latest offering in Spazju Kreattiv’s programme of live transmissions from the Metropolitan Opera in New York is Rusalka, in many ways a definitive example of late Romanticism.

Containing folklore, evocations of the natural and the supernatural worlds as well as a poignant interpretation of the idea of a love-death reality, this opera is scored by Antonín Dvořák and stars Kristine Opolais in the titular role. True to its romantic feel, the opera takes place in an unspecified fairytale setting, contrasting the unspoiled natural environment with corrupt human culture.

The story has a strong national flavour as well as a universal appeal, infused by the Romantic supernaturalism of Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué’s novel, Undine (previously performed as an opera under the masterful hands of E.T.A. Hoffman and Tchaikovsky), and Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid.

Rusalka is a water nymph who imbibes a potion to become human, all for the love of a prince. In true tragic fashion, their love story does not play out as she would have imagined and a happily-ever-after destiny is not to be.

 

■ The live performance of Rusalka screens tomorrow at St James Cavalier in Valletta at 6.55pm. The opera is in Czech with English subtitles. Encores will be shown on March 26 and June 4. Spazju Kreattiv are offering block tickets for the Met Opera season performances. For more information, visit kreattivita.org.

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