Met Opera Encore in HD: Dvořák’s Rusalka

Kristine Opolais stars in the role that helped launch her international career, the mythical Rusalka, who sings the haunting “Song to the Moon.” Mary Zimmerman brings her wondrous theatrical imagination to Dvořák’s fairytale of love and longing, rejection and redemption. Brandon Jovanovich, Jamie Barton, Katarina Dalayman, and Eric Owens complete the all-star cast, and Mark Elder conducts.

In the depths of a lively lake, Rusalka, water nymph and daughter of the ruling water sprite, bemoans her fate. Her eye has been caught by a dashing prince, but being a nymph she cannot have him. Going against the wishes of her father, she consults with the witch Jezibaba, who teaches her a spell to become mortal. The only caveat; she will be mute and, therefore unable to express her love. If the Prince betrays her, they’ll both be damned for eternity. Of course, she takes her chances, which throw her into an adventure of jealousy, exile, love and redemption that will change her forever more.