Leeds Grand Theatre – until 1 April 2023
Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood
4****
Leoš Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen is part of Opera North’s 2023 Winter Season repertoire. This production was originally co-produced between Scottish Opera and Welsh National Opera, under the direction of Sir David Pountney, and was first performed at Edinburgh International Festival in 1980. Sir David Pountney returns to directing this production and he is supported by talented cast members and creators.
This three-act opera is based on Rudolf Tĕsnohlídek’s novella and Leoš Janáček’s libretto and is about the folklore tale of Vixen Sharp-Ears (Elin Pritchard) who was captured as a young cub and while in captivity yearns for freedom, and escapism. She eventually escapes to the forest and the narrative unfolds her liberated journey. The sights and sounds of the forest enchant and captivate all to the natural world of dragonflies, squirrels, and other creatures.
Moravian folk music and rhythm is well set into Janáček’s musical composition and energises and enchants the characters on the journeys they make. This is all done under the musical direction of Andrew Gourlay and in song by the artists particularly from Pritchard (Vixen Sharp-Ears), Heather Lowe (Fox) and James Rutherford (Forester).
It is light and innocent in narration but contextually dark with the juxtaposition of both the human and animal worlds and the cycles of life and death from excellent characteristic portrayals from each member of the cast. Being in the present is part of the animal world as transpired on stage however this is reflected differently among the human characters as seen.
The main draw for the opera must be the late Maria Björnson’s set and its exquisite animal costumes designs. The botanical theme set with its forest’s backdrops and Nick Chelton’s lighting works well for the different scenes and plots in the opera and the different spaces and positions are thoroughly well used.
This well projected opera, co-ordinated and choreographed by Elaine Tyler-Hall, is an evening’s treat and delight for everyone of all ages and everywhere. It is heartening that this classic folktale is going to be made accessible to schools and Little Listeners: Mini Vixen, a production targeted for children. The Cunning Little Vixen is enchantingly natural and botanically refreshing.