At the edge of a Florida everglade, the swamp nymph Rusalka falls in love with a human. With the help of a witch, she defies her father—giving up her home, family, and voice to follow her heart and join her prince on dry land. However, she quickly learns that true love can come at a terrible price.
Opera Orlando will transform the Mayan-inspired Art and History Museums of Maitland for Dvořák’s tragic operatic version of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid, Rusalka. With a new English translation for this site-specific production at one of Central Florida’s premier cultural destinations, audiences will experience this dark, romantic work like never before. Central Florida native soprano Shannon Jennings sings the title role, joined by renowned tenor Isaac Hurtado as the Prince, and Metropolitan Opera soprano Emily Pulley as the wise witch Ježibaba. Weaving together this sad tale of sacrifice, love, and rejection will be Company artistic director Grant Preisser, with music direction by international pianist and conductor Bernard McDonald.
