Antonín Dvorák (September 8, 1841 – May 1, 1904) composed this Slavic mythology, Rusalka, a three-act Czech lyric fairy tale. Libretto was written by Jaroslav Kvapil, based on "Ondine" by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué, "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen and "Die Versunkene Glocke" by Gerhard Hauptmann. It was premiered in Prague, National Theater, March 31, 1901. The setting is near a lake and castle in legendary times.
Notable aria: "O silver moon" (Rusalka)
Rusalka, a romantic fairy tale, is considered the only lasting triumph of all the ten operas that Antonín Dvorák composed. Although he was not that successful with his operas, he has international following with his symphonic work, Symphony for the New World. Dvorak wrote Rusalka by chance after three composer-friends of librettist Kvapil turned down the libretto, recommended it to Dvorak, who agreed to set it into an opera.
Character Roles of Rusalka Opera
- Water gnome, "father" of the nymphs (bass)
- Rusalka, a water nymph or spirit (soprano)
- Jezibaba, a witch (mezzo-soprano)
- Prince (tenor)
- Three Wood Sprites (2 sopranos, alto)
- Gamekeeper (tenor)
- Turnspit (soprano)
- Foreign Princess (soprano)
Plot Summary / Synopses of Dvorák's Rusalka
Act 1. A Meadow on the Edge of the Lake
The water gnome is having a playful time with three water sprites. Rusalka, resting on a willow tree, begs the gnome to let her become human. He guesses that her daughter is in love with a mortal. Rusalka wanders and asks the witch, Jezibaba, to help her become mortal. The witch agrees with the condition that Rusalka should be mute forever, and that if she loses her love, Rusalka will return to the waters, with her lover damned. Rusalka accepts the terms and the witch makes her mortal. Rusalka's prince, exhausted from hunting, finds Rusalka.
Act 2. Grounds of the Prince's Castle
A turnspit and his uncle, a gamekeeper, wonder at the grounds in the castle. They fear Rusalka is an evil spirit and hope the prince will forget her. A foreign princess wants the prince for herself and tries to get Rusalka to speak. Father and daughter overhear the prince declare his love for the foreign princess. The water gnome comforts Rusalka, who fears the prince has forgotten her. He reclaims her daughter, Rusalka, and the prince falls sick and unconscious.
Act 3. A Meadow
Abandoned by her love, Rusalka wishes for death. She appeals to the witch, who tells her she can go back to her old life if she kills the prince but Rusalka refuses to do it. The gamekeeper and his nephew come to ask the witch's help to restore the health of the prince. The water gnome drives them away while the water sprites play. The prince comes in search of Rusalka. She warns him to go away for he will be doomed, but he is determined to join her. They kiss and he dies in her arms.
Sources:
Concise Guide to Opera, Penguin, London, 2005
Opera by Alan Riding and L.D. Downer, DK, 2006
The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin, 1997
The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd Edition, edited by Stanley Sadie, 2000
