The opera The Devil and Kate was written just before Rusalka and falls into the final period of Dvořák's career, which he devoted to programme music and operas on fairytale and mythological themes. The theme of this delightful opera is based on a fairy tale by Božena Němcová. Nobody wants to dance with the quirky and a little cheeky Kate at a party. Angry, she declares that she would dance with the devil. Indeed, he arrives as the dashing Marbuelo, who takes her to hell. The clever Shepherd Jirka manages to bring Káča back to the earth and, at the same time, saves the reformed Princess from hell.

 

The joyous story of one of Dvořák's best operas is full of movement and humour in the production by the young director Zuzana Fischer, which beautifully blends the traditional fairytale world with the contemporary one. It is an attractive family opera title full of dynamics and movement thanks to dancers, acrobats and parkour performers.

Première February 26, 2022