Janacek: The Cunning Little Vixen

Wholenote Discoveries - July 2009
A mere 30 years ago Leos Janáček’s operas were virtually unknown in the West, but today there is hardly a reputable opera company that hasn’t performed some of them. The Canadian Opera Company, for one, can be proud of having performed five of the operas here in Toronto. Although Paris is just beginning to discover his greatness, this live performance certainly makes up for any lack of appreciation in the past. Apart from an interesting, novel concept, there is abundant talent and wit in the stage direction, sets, colour and costume design, not to mention singers and musical direction. According to director André Engel, the stage is set as a bright sunflower field, representing nature, but bisected by a railway that shows mankind’s brutality. Where the two meet is where things are happening, where indeed anything can happen. There is tragedy, but in Janáček’s optimistic outlook it is followed by rebirth and the cycle of nature continues indefinitely. One of Janáček’s most beautiful scores, the story was undoubtedly inspired by his love for a much younger woman at the age of 70. The opera simply throbs with love and affection towards his young female protagonist, the vixen, in this case the ebullient Russian high soprano Elena Tsailagova, who simply radiates and dominates the performance. The three rather pathetic male figures are all well characterized and sung by Jukka Rasilainen (forester), David Kubler (schoolmaster) and Roland Bracht (parson). There is also a charming choir of children dressed in hilarious costumes representing the little animals. Music Director Dennis Russell Davies’ flawless and beautifully flowing conducting brings out the beauty and lyricism of the score and deserves much of the credit for this delightful performance. Janos Gardonyi

Price: $29.98