Rusalka is an opera in three acts by Antonín Dvořák. It is a fantastic work based on a fairy tale. Měsíčku na nebi hlubokém (Song to the Moon) is one of the highlights of Rusalka.
Rusalka, Opera: Character Map
Rusalka, Opera: Roles
| Rusalka | a water nymph | soprano |
| The prince | tenor | |
| Vodník | Rusalka’s father | bass |
| Ježibaba | a witch | mezzo-soprano |
| The foreign princess | soprano | |
| Hunter | baritone | |
| Kitchen boy | soprano | |
| First wood sprite | soprano | |
| Second wood sprite | soprano | |
| Third wood sprite | contralto |
- Native title: Rusalka
- Language: Czech
- Composers: Antonín Dvořák
- Librettist: Jaroslav Kvapil
- Based on: fairy tales by Karel Jaromír Erben and Božena Němcová
- Premiere: March 31, 1901, National Theatre (Prague), Prague
- Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Rusalka, Opera: Summary
Rusalka, a water nymph, has a crush on a prince who comes to the forest and wishes to become human. Vodník tries to keep her, but she is determined. Rusalka prays to the moon for the success of her love. Song to the Moon (Měsíčku na nebi hlubokém)
Rusalka asks the witch Ježibaba to turn her into a human. The price of becoming human is that she loses her voice, and when the Prince’s heart leaves her, she is pulled back into the water, and he is cursed forever. After becoming human, Rusalka meets the Prince. They fall in love.
The ball is a celebration of Rusalka’s marriage to the Prince. He is frustrated by Rusalka’s lack of passion but feels he cannot escape her. An exotic princess, who has come to celebrate the marriage, decides to interrupt them. The Prince immediately takes notice of the princess and begins to seduce her. Rusalka despairs and leaves. The princess also mocks the Prince and leaves.
Rusalka returns to the lake. Ježibaba gives her a knife and tells her that if she kills the Prince, she will return to the water nymphs. Rusalka accepts her fate and throws the knife into the lake. The Prince, who has lost his mind, comes to the forest looking for Rusalka. Rusalka appears. The Prince begs her for help.
RusalkaI am now a phantom of the moon. I drag you into the abyss with those who wander the waters. If I kiss you now, you will be lost.
The PrinceKiss me. Kiss me until I die.
Rusalka hugs and kisses him. The Prince dies. Rusalka enters the lake.
Rusalka, Opera: Act 1, Synopsis
The three wood nymphs playfully tease Vodník. Vodník accompanies the mischievous girls as they play. Then a sad-looking Rusalka arrives.
RusalkaHe often comes here to bathe in my embrace. But I am only a wave. I should have been human long ago. He must see me. Tell me, Father. What shall I do?
VodníkIt is useless for me to invite you to the water. Call Ježibaba.
Rusalka prays to the moon alone.
RusalkaO moon in the deep sky. Your radiance is far away, you wander through the wide world, looking into the lives of people. Moon, stop for a moment. Tell me! Where is my beloved?
Měsíčku na nebi hlubokém（Song to the Moon）
Ježibaba comes out of the hut.
RusalkaI give you everything I have. Make me human.
JežibabaI will give it to you. But you must give me the robe of clear water. If you lose the love your heart desires, the curse of the power of water will drag you back into the water. You will suffer before you have love. You will not be able to talk to mortals.
RusalkaIf I can know his love, I don’t care if I can’t speak.
JežibabaBeware of him. If you are cursed to return to the water realm, your loved one will also be destroyed. He will be a victim of your curse forever!
They enter the hut.
The Prince comes hunting. He finds Rusalka coming out of the cabin.
The PrinceAre you a man or a fairy? Have you come to protect a sacred animal?
Rusalka can say nothing.
The PrinceIs your tongue forever mute? I am suddenly fascinated by your look. If you like me, make it clear.
Rusalka leaps into his arms. The Prince takes Rusalka away.
Rusalka, Opera: Act 2, Synopsis
In the prince’s castle, the hunter and the cook gossip.
Kitchen boy
The Prince has found a strange creature in the forest. He wants to marry her. She walks like a ghost, mute and bloodless.
The Hunter
Our wise prince has changed. Unlike his former self, he wanders around in a daze.
Kitchen boy
Fortunately, this may not be the case. The prince is fickle, his love is waning, and he is said to have his eye on a foreign princess.
The Hunter
God bless his health. I wish I could get rid of this strange woman. The prince is coming this way with the woman!
The two run away. The Prince and the pale Rusalka appear together.
The PrinceWould you not be a perfect wife, aflame with love, if you were married, if love were waiting for you? Why is your embrace cold, and why do you fear the flames of passion? I push down my feelings of emptiness and sadness, but I cannot escape from your arms.
The Princess comes and looks at the Prince and Rusalka.
The foreign princess
No, this is not love, this is anger. There is another woman where I wanted to be. I will completely destroy her happiness.
Shouldn’t the Prince remember? That you are a host, even if you are a lover. The exotic guest who has come to bless you, just to see you?
The prince looks at the princess.
The PrinceIt is a well-timed scolding. Although I am her bridegroom, I am your host. I was careless as a host when I was taken in by her eyes. Let me make up for it for a while.
The prince holds out his hand to the princess. Rusalka steps forward and takes the prince’s hand.
The PrinceWhy are you confused? Are you trembling? Hurry back to your room and get ready for the ball.
The foreign princess
Put on your beautiful clothes. For I have his courtesy, but you have his heart.
The Prince takes the Princess away. Rusalka looks at him sadly and leaves. There is a ball. Vodník looks anxiously from the pond into the castle hall. The Prince is courting the Princess and does not even look at Rusalka. Rusalka runs out of the castle.
RusalkaFather, help me. He is attracted to the wild beauty of humans. He doesn’t want Rusalka anymore.
VodníkHe who loved you has rejected you? You must be patient now.
RusalkaIt’s no use. There is passion in her eyes. I, born of cold water, have no passion. I cannot be a woman or a fairy, I cannot die and live.
A prince comes to a foreign princess to court her. Rusalka, listening to their conversation, despairs and tries to take the prince in her arms.
The PrinceHer shoulders are frozen. White, cold beauty.
The Prince pushes Rusalka away. An angry Vodník emerges from the pond.
VodníkHurry to the other arm. You will not escape from her (Rusalka’s) arms.
Vodník drags Rusalka into the pond. The Prince is stunned.
The PrinceSave me from the embrace of the mysterious power.
The foreign princess
Hurry to the depths of the nameless hell, to the one you have chosen.
The exotic princess leaves with a broad smile on her face.
Rusalka, Opera: Act 3, Synopsis
Rusalka is sitting on the lake.
RusalkaWhy am I not dead when it is so cold?
Ježibaba comes out of the hut.
JežibabaThe time of love is short, the time of mourning is long. Will Ježibaba help you again? Do you want to go back to your sisters? I have good advice for you.
The curse must be washed away with human blood. Destroy those who betrayed you with your own hands and you will be happy. Now take the knife and swear to obey.
Ježibaba gives the knife to Rusalka. Rusalka throws the knife into the lake.
RusalkaGet away from me. I don’t care if I suffer forever. But I want him to be happy.
Ježibaba laughs and returns to the hut. Rusalka enters the lake. The hunter and the cook run frightened into the woods. Ježibaba comes out of the hut.
JežibabaWho’s making all that noise?
Kitchen boy
Our prince has been bewitched by a demon and is suffering. He brought her back to the castle and gave her everything. She was to be his wife, but she never saw the wedding. The prince was deceived and the unfaithful demon disappeared.
Vodník appears.
VodníkHe betrayed her. I will avenge you as best I can.
The hunter and the cook flee. Ježibaba laughs and returns to her hut, where three wood nymphs appear and make merry. Vodník is saddened by Rusalka’s situation, and when he sees them, the three are also saddened and disappear. The prince runs madly through the forest.
The PrinceMy lamentations never cease and never end. Panting, I search for you in the forest. Come back to me, fairy.
He stops.
The PrinceO silent forest! Where is my beloved?
The moon appears from behind the clouds. Rusalka appears.
RusalkaMy love, do you remember me?
The PrinceIf you’re dead, kill me. If you are alive, help me.
RusalkaI am not alive and I am not dead. I am neither a woman nor a fairy. I am a cursed wanderer. I have dreamed in your arms in vain. I was once your lover, but now I am only death to you.
The PrinceI cannot live without you. Will you forgive me?
RusalkaI am now a phantom of the moon. I drag you to the abyss with those who wander the waters. You sought passion. Which I do not have. If I kiss you now, you are lost.
The PrinceKiss me. Kiss me until I die.
Rusalka embraces him and kisses him.
RusalkaMy love freezes all feelings. I cannot help but embrace you in my cold arms.
The PrinceI die happy in your embrace.
The Prince dies. Vodník is in the water or in mourning.
VodníkAll the sacrifices are in vain. Poor, pale Rusalka!
She kisses the dead prince for the last time.
RusalkaFor your love, for your beauty. To your fickle, human passion. Oh, human soul, may God bless you.
Rusalka goes into the lake.