Janacek: Das Schlaue Fuchslein (The Cunning Little Vixen): Irmgard Arnold / Manfred Hopp (Walter Felsenstein Edition)

Walter Felsenstein (1901 1975), founder and general director of
the Komische Oper in Berlin, was one of the twentieth century's
greatest creative theatre directors, who played a hugely important
role in the revival of opera as a theatrical art form. A brilliant
artist who directed over 190 productions during the course of his
career, he was equally committed to the works, their creators, the
ensemble and the audience.
'Vixen is a work I fell strangely in love with [...] said Felsenstein and
created a fable with a distinctive dramatic structure. By directing this
opera Felsenstein illustrated the amazing nature of the piece with all
its philosophical depth and poetical power.
His production of The Cunning Little Vixen is supported by the visionary setting of Rudolf Heinrich. The bright and
energetic music of the Czech composer Leo Janácek comprises humanity and offers pleasant warmth to the stories of
gifted poet Rudolf Tesnohlídek. Felsenstein describes Leo Janácek as '[...] a unique and inimitable phenomenon in
the history of music.'
The production narrates the life story of a little fox. It contains a fine mix of cute and funny elements together with
serious realism in one story. Two early performances were given on 11 and 12 May ahead of a guest performance by
the Komische Oper in Prague. The premiere took place on 30 May 1956. The magnetic recording of this production by
Deutscher Fernsehfunk took place in 1965 at the Adlershof studios. With its profound and touching story the Cunning
Little Vixen is an opera like no other.
Special Features on DVD: Facsimile & texts, interviews, speech of Walter Felsenstein, piano reduction