Janacek’s parable of the life cycle as played out between the world of forest creatures and a partially parallel set of humans is staged by David Alden. It focuses on the young Vixen herself, vividly personified by Ailish Tynan, a sparky presence in every scene. Presented visually as the composer himself is Robert Poulton’s Forester, his rich baritone and sentient performance shaping the spiritual trajectory of a man who increasingly realises the interdependence of all creation and the transience of living things.
There’s strong support from Frances Bourne’s Fox - jauntily propositioning the Vixen before marrying her at the joyous end of Act 2 - and David Stout’s confidently brutal Harasta, the poacher encroaching upon and destroying the natural world.
Alden’s staging is lively and entertaining, making a good deal of such set pieces as the Vixen tricking and then despatching the fatuous Cock and his giddy gaggle of hens. Gideon Davey’s set is a large room gradually invaded by the forest creatures, which interact with the human characters. Wynne Evans and Timothy Dawkins are among four singers who double up as both human and animal. Much of it is delightful, despite the folk dancing becoming intrusive.
Conductor Andre de Ridder maintains strong momentum, though the orchestra is a touch fuzzy around the edges. The work is sung in Czech but the immediacy of this piece would strike more forcefully in English.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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