News and Features

What you thought of: Rusalka

Read a selection of press reviews and audience reactions for Rusalka

The curtain has now gone up on our five star production of Rusalka.

Robin Ticciati conducts this revival of Melly Still’s much-loved production, with soprano Sally Matthews as the nymph who loses all for love.

Read what the critics and audience had to say about the production.

What the critics are saying

‘Sally Matthews…was captivating: generous in phrase, warm in tone, she painted a touching portrait of the poor creature’s naïve infatuation and disillusioned despair.’
★★★★★

– Daily Telegraph

‘Just as wonderful as the singing and acting were, however, these aspects were fully matched by Melly Still’s stunningly beautiful production.’

– Daily Express

‘Her Prince (looking astonishingly like Prince William) is the enormously promising young American Evan LeRoy Johnson, his tenor firm and often radiant.’

– The Stage

‘Dvořák’s late masterpiece richly revealed without the airy-fairy’

– The Arts Desk

‘Robin Ticciati draws ardent playing from the London Philharmonic, unveiling Dvořák’s wealth of music and glorious colours with flawless sensitivity.’

– Classical Source

‘Rae Smith’s designs are as enchanting as before, the watery scenes filled with limpid light and the fashion victims a burst of glorious colour. Rick Nodine’s Movement direction was stunning, with the water sprites in particular executing complex flourishes with seemingly casual aplomb. The lighting, so vital to the success of Melly Still’s production, was poetically beautiful in the ever-sensitive hands of Paule Constable.’

– MusicOMH

Audience Reaction

Deeply moving, beautiful and outstanding in every respect

– Audience member

It was superlative. The intensity was palpable.

– Audience member

No words! I will remember this performance until the day I die!

– Audience member

This was one of the most moving opera performances I have ever seen.

– Audience member

#Rusalka at #Glyndebourne the most profoundly moving, beautiful experience I’ve ever had at either theatre or opera. Sally Matthews is a star.

— Mary Monro (@monro_m276) June 29, 2019

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Way to spend the hottest day of the year #glyndebourne #rusalka #englishsummer #bestpicnic

A post shared by Simge Maria (@simgemaria) on Jun 29, 2019 at 4:22pm PDT

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Wow! The most amazing first night I’ve ever been at in the last 36 years of opera-going! Superb singing, wonderful acting, brilliant set, marvellous choreography, orchestra and conductor on very top form. This production of Rusalka is emotionally rending – I’ll go again for sure. Next time I’ll take a bigger handkerchief! And stay for longer afterwards for Cognac and cigars.

A post shared by John L Collins (@drjlcollins) on Jun 29, 2019 at 2:27pm PDT

#Rusalka at @glyndebourne is a marvel. The supernatural aspect is brought vividly to life through a combination of design and amazing movement direction. Beautifully sung by a cast of glorious voices; the final love/death duet seems to suspend time itself. pic.twitter.com/drBTcE0x0C

— Liza (@Lizamezzo) June 27, 2019