Only one aria, the song to the moon from antonin dvoraks opera rusalka, uses an. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The young soprano generally falls into three categories. Dvoraks rusalka in dvoraks dreamlike opera, a little mermaid abandons immortality for love, but her ultimate sacrifice goes unrewarded. The royal opera has presented rusalka in concert only, again with fleming in. Rusalka is a fantasy novel by american science fiction and fantasy author c. The story is derived from central european tales of. Mesiku na nebi hlubokem aria database search the database. If tim burton decided to create an opera, it would probably look and feel a lot like the production of rusalka that opened at the four. Rusalka czech helpinfo is an opera lyric fairy tale by antonin dvorak. Sara gartland, who is enchanting, with an expanse of surging sound, opera today returns to take the title role.
This particular aria is sung by the title character, rusalka, in the opera s first act. Naiads, more commonly known as rusalki, are the nymphs of lakes and rivers. It was first published in october 1989 in the united states in a hardcover edition by ballantine books under its del rey books imprint. Rusalka is a favourite opera of mine, but i have never heard it as well done as this. Mesicku na nebi hlubokem song to the moon from rusalka.
Rusalka is the daughter of a watergoblin who wants nothing more than to be human after she falls in love with a hunterprince who frequents the lake in which she lives. At the end of the metropolitan opera premiere of dvoraks rusalka on thursday night, the water nymph of the opera s title slowly wrapped her diaphanous gown around the prince who had betrayed. Dark fairytale rusalka is grand opera at its best the star. Her physical size and way of moving on stage keeps a 45 or 50 year old. Conducted by sir charles mackerras heroic rescuer of unjustly neglected czech masterworks this recording reveals a luminous score brimming over with magical, moonlit music. Rusalka has 4,091 books on goodreads, and is currently reading faithful place by tana french, shenzhen. A clearing on the shore of the lake, medieval times. The fascinating personal story of one of the most celebrated talents in todays music scenethe star of the metropolitan opera s recent revival of dvoraks rusalka, soprano renee fleming brings a consummately beautiful voice, striking interpretive talents, and compelling artistry to bear on performances that have captivated audiences in opera houses and recital halls throughout the world. This guide introduces rusalka as a musical fairy tale, an example of the interest in. If you would like a perfect version of the song to the moon, and several selections from rusalka, this is a great album to get.
Schirmer opera anthology series revolutionized opera aria study after its. The czech libretto was written by the poet jaroslav kvapil 18681950 based on the fairy tales of karel jaromir erben and boa. Most opera lovers only know one short excerpt from rusalka. Charles mackerrass lifetime love affair with czech music makes him an ideal interpreter of dvoraks most popular opera, an adaptation of themes from hans christian andersons little mermaid into czech folklore. The czech libretto was written by the poet jaroslav kvapil 18681950 based on the fairy tales of karel jaromir erben and bozena nemcova. Shop and buy rusalkas aria from rusalka sheet music. Gabriela benackova has a very beautiful lyric soprano, and she sings this aria in such a straighforward, touching way, without any swooning and sentimental schlock. Soon after this song, she agrees to give up her voice to turn human. Read the libretto, translated to english, of the czech opera rusalka by antonin dvorak on opera arias. Dvorak and tchaikovsky soprano arias with orchestra antonin dvorak, pyotr. Wide world peering into human dwellings mesicku, postuj chvili o, moon, stand still for a moment, reckni. Rusalka also contains the most famous czech opera aria, the title characters hymn to the moon. But this beloved fixture of national culture must be handled gently. View full information about all arias from this opera.
Dvoraks bestloved opera, rusalka is inspired by slavic myths and folktales about a waternymph that chooses to become human to win her prince, mirroring hans christian andersens the little mermaid. Based on hans christian andersens original story, rusalka features dark forests, woodland sprites, and the glorious aria, song to the moon. Home search browse books scores contact us contributions help about the database. Rusalka, act 1 at the edge of the crystalclear waters of a beautiful, cerulean lake, three woodsprites merrily dance along the shores while teasing the watergoblin, ruler of the lake, who lives beneath the waves. Schirmer opera anthology series revolutionized opera aria study after its release in 1991. Echoing the story of the little mermaid, rusalka gives up her voice to be united with a prince. The soubrette voice is further classified as to whether or not she has good coloratura and an extended high register. In it, rusalka sings of her love for the prince, asking the moon to tell him how she feels. Like their wood cousins, dryads, they are exclusively female and sometimes said to kidnap human girls to transform them into more nymphs, though they prefer more traditional ways of reproduction.
Essay in programme book, glyndebourne festival opera 2009, p. Shop and buy rusalka s aria from rusalka sheet music. Rusalka, the naiad soprano the water sprite bass the prince tenor the witch contralto the foreign princess mezzo soprano the three wood nymphs sopranos, contralto the gamekeeper baritone the turnspit soprano the hunter baritone the naiads, the suite of the prince, wedding guests. Rusalka sings this song asking the moon to reveal her love to the prince. It often happens in opera that theres a disconnect between music and narrative. But he is distinctly put out when his bridetobe cannot say a word. Dvorak and tchaikovsky soprano arias with orchestra. When the san francisco opera gave rusalka its only previous outing here, in 1995, the story was moonlit, certainly a forced move in an opera whose most famous aria is the title characters song to the moon but also steeped in the pastel hues of a storybook. But for those seeking beautiful music including one of opera s great arias, a game cast and good singing, rusalka, with soprano kristine opolais in the title role, offers a musically satisfying. Pisen rusalky o mesiku mesiku na nebi hlubokem rusalka soprano synopsis. Sitting amongst the branches of a willow tree overhanging the water, the watergoblins daughter, rusalka, a waternymph, sulks and stares longingly in the. The watersprite rusalka falls for a human prince and buys human form from the witch jezibaba at the price of. Soprano solo voice sheet music book by antonin dvorak 18411904.