Spain Janáček, The Cunning Little Vixen: Soloists, Orfeó Catalá Children’s Chorus (director: Glòria Coma), Grand Teatre del Liceu Chorus (conductor: Pablo Assante) and Orchestra / Josep Pons (conductor). Gran Teatro del Liceu, Barcelona, 29.9.2025. (JMI)
The Cunning Little Vixen is one of Leoš Janáček’s mature operas, and its great originality is the inclusion of both forest creatures and humans as characters. This has made it a popular vehicle for attracting children to opera in Central European countries, but it has not been the case in Spain, where performances of the opera have been rather rare. As far as I can recall, it has been 28 years since it was last staged at Madrid’s Teatro Real, but it has been done at the Liceu in Barcelona in 2001 and in Seville in 2004, both times with full British companies.
Janáček is both the composer of the opera and the author of the libretto, and it is well known that he much enjoyed the rehearsals. The opera is a true tribute to the forest and its inhabitants.
This Barrie Kosky staging is a co-production with Munich’s Bavarian State Opera where it premiered in 2022. The production is beautifully executed, beginning with a series of characters attending a funeral where the forest animals will emerge from the earth. The animals’ attire is brightly colored while the humans are dressed in black, and the forest consists of colorful streamers. The scene with the Rooster and the Hens is great fun, with Roger Padullés in the role of the Rooster. The Fox and the Little Vixen declaration of love is well-executed, as it is the latter’s death at the hands of the Hunter which leads to a fine scene with the appearance of the protagonists’ descendants. The beauty of the sets is undeniable.
Josep Pons, the Liceu’s musical director, conducted the orchestra, and his interpretation was good, leaning more toward symphonic than operatic. He was well served by the Liceu Orchestra, as well as the Liceu Chorus and the Orfeó Catalá Children’s Chorus.
The title character of the opera was played by soprano Elena Tsallagova, who gave an outstanding performance, in terms both of singing and acting; the Vixen is a role that requires a performer who is at great ease on the stage. Mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy was the Fox. Her voice lacked amplitude although she gave an adequate interpretation of the role.
The Forester is the other important character in the opera, and the role was sung by baritone Peter Mattei, who offered a beautiful voice with sufficient strength and gave a fine interpretation of this pivotal role. The other characters are less important and all were handled well.
José M. Irurzun
Featured Image: Scene of the Rooster and the Hens © D. Ruano
Production:
Director – Barrie Kosky
Revival Director – Andreas Weirich
Sets – Michael Levine
Costumes – Victoria Beh
Lighting – Franck Evin
Cast:
Forester – Peter Mattei
Forester’s Wife / Owl – Anaïs Masllorens
School Teacher/ Mosquito – David Alegret
The Rector / Badger – Alejandro López
Harašta – Milan Perišic
Pasek – José Manuel Montero
Little Vixen – Elena Tsallagova
Fox – Paula Murrihy
Lapak / Woodpecker – Mireia Pintó
Rooster – Roger Padullés
Chocholka – Mercedes Gancedo