The Cunning Little Vixen

Synopsis

Lyrics by Janacek after Tesnohlidek. Title can also be translated as The Adventures of Vixen Sharp Ears. The adventures of the Vixen as she escapes captivity, finds a mate, gives birth and dies represent the universal cycle of life, played out with a supporting cast of birds and insects. The creatures of the forest and farmyard are tellingly compared with the human community to create a moving yet optimistic reflection on the challenges and joys of existence.

Our Review:

Simon Thomas - 20 March 2010

Thank goodness for Sir Charles Mackerras. Opportunities to hear the 84 year old conduct are treasurable, doubly so when it’s his beloved Janacek. He drew a translucent, at times glowing, performance of one of the composer’s most glorious scores from the Royal Opera House Orchestra on the first night of The Cunning Little Vixen.

It’s as well that there was some security in the pit, as this was otherwise a rather routine revival. New in 1990, Bill Bryden’s production is receiving only its fourth outing but it still seems a little flea-bitten and tired. Opera production has moved on a lot in the last 20 years and expectations of Janacek, now firmly established as a key 20th Century composer, are so much higher.

William Dudley’s designs are confusing, poised as they are between civilisation and nature, a huge rusty wheel with shattered spokes invading the rustic setting. Into this sterile environment crank strange mechanistic blobs and an unac...

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