Duration
The Little Mermaid takes a darker turn with Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka, where a water nymph drags herself to shore for human love. Director Sarah Giles delivers another heartrending tale after La Traviata.
Great for
Fans of Opera | Romance lovers | Fans of tragedies
Catch one of the most famous Czech composers in the gorgeous Sydney Opera House as Antonín Dvořák’s most famous play Rusalka, opens for a strictly limited engagement in the Joan Sutherland Theatre. Dip your toes into a tale of deception, love, and betrayal, it’s The Little Mermaid with a dark twist. Believed to be Dvořák’s masterpiece, this adaptation by director Sarah Giles comes hot on the heels of her hit opera La Traviata. With Australia’s beloved soprano Nicole Car -winner of the Chevalier de l’ordre des arts et des lettres de la république de France- as the titular Rusalka, audiences are in for an emotionally charged time. Sung in its original Czech with English surtitles, Rusalka gives audiences a chance to experience Dvořák’s genius in its purest form. Enjoy tales from the ocean as you look over Sydney Harbour!
The story
Rusalka, a water nymph, longs to live among humans after falling in love with a prince. She seeks the help of the witch Ježibaba, sacrificing her voice in exchange for a human form. As Rusalka enters the human world, she faces unforeseen challenges, including the prince's wavering affections and the loss of her own identity. The narrative unfolds as a poignant exploration of love, sacrifice, and the quest for belonging.
These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Genre: Opera
Theater facilities: escalator, elevator, bars, washrooms and accessible toilets, cloakroom
Theater accessibility: English surtitles above the stage, accessible passageway, wheelchair-accessible, hearing loops courtesy wheelchairs.
Dress code: Smart casual
Cast & crew
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Leading roles: Nicole Car as Rusalka, Gerard Schneider as The Prince, Warwick Fyfe as The Water King, Natalie Aroyan as The Duchess, Ashlyn Tymms as Ježibaba, Andrew Moran as Gamekeeper, Sian Sharp as Kitchen-Boy, Malcolm Ede as Huntsman, and Fiona Jopson, Jennifer Bonner, and Helen Sherman as wood sprites
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Conductor: Johannes Fritzsch
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Director: Sarah Giles
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Set Designer: Charles Davis
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Costume designer: Renée Mulder
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Lighting designer: Paul Jackson
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Video designer & content creator: David Bergman
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Movement director & intimacy coordinator: Dr Lyndall Grant
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Orchestra: Opera Australia
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Chorus: Opera Australia
Additional tips
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Most theaters are air-conditioned year-round, so it can get a bit chilly. Bring a light jacket just in case.
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This show is meant for audiences above the age of 8. Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.
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- You will receive an email with your Rusalka voucher. Please display the same on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID.
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