Antonin Dvorak – Rusalka
The Royal Opera House’s article says “Rusalka is an opera about singing. Or rather, what happens when you cannot sing”. It echoes the story of The Little Mermaid. I loved Disney’s ‘Ariel (The Little Mermaid)’ as a child. I enjoy singing the aria ‘Song to the Moon’ even more. This aria comes at the start of the story as Rusalka, a water nymph, sings to the moon. It is a plea to the moon to reveal her love to the Prince. Rusalka gives up her voice to be united with the Prince, but he is put off because she cannot say a word and he accepts the hand of a Foreign Princess. The witch Jezibaba’s curse is for Rusalka to live in the depths of the lake forever.
I sing this aria in Czech which makes it even more beautiful as I have to demonstrate the intense feeling to my English speaking audiences. Classical Music says “Rusalka is the most popular Czech opera in circulation.
Classic fm writes “The song is based on the folk tale of Undine, and when he wrote Rusalka Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid was already 65 years old”.
I was asked to perform ‘Rusalka’ at the Bowdon Festival in Altrincham at the end of the month, 30th November, so I dusted the score down and lovingly refreshed my knowledge of it. Realising I’d not fully researched it before I thought I’d share my background discovery with you.
Whilst doing my research I came across these great images from the set designer Erhard Rom from the Minnesota Opera Production and I hope that they give you a flavour of the opera and it’s story.
It is in my program this Saturday in Derby and I will be singing it on the 30th November with the Milnrow Brass Band. My favourite group of men The Tideswell Male Voice Choir join me in Bowdon in a Christmas Spectacular.
Finally I could not let you go without listening to one of the Opera greats giving a beautiful rendition of the song ( especially as I have not got it recorded yet 🙂 ). So here is Renee Fleming
UPDATE
Here is my recording from the concert in Bowdon 🙂
Wow, you can sing in Czech… I will wait to hear your record of the song then 🙂
I only know two songs in Czech Rusalka and the new one I learnt in September called ‘Songs My Mother Taught Me’ for the Kathleen Ferrier competition both by Dvorak beautiful songs both of them. I’d love to sing it with a harp and full orchestra wouldn’t that be wonderful.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I look onward to hearing this. I have a lovely copy of Anna Netrebko singing ” Song to the Moon”
Hello John, Anna Netrebko is another fabulous singer. I’m looking forward to performing the song at the Autumn Leaves event and at the Bowdon Festival at the end of November.
Best wishes
Charlotte
The Moon is an old friend ….
She often posed for me …
I’m sure she will be pleased with your performance and she is very happy that you were talking about it ……
You are truly amazing Charlotte!
the stars smile for you
🙂
Merci Pascal, I’m intrigued by your latest message on your blog ‘55 days/32 days’ good luck 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
I gone answering in e-mail…..;-)
What a lovely entry! I am excited for your performance. xx
Thanks Elizabeth, I always get excited too on the day of the event. I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you for sharing your research with us. It is always interesting to learn the stories behind a given piece of music.
May God bless you as you perform!
Thank you for your lovely message I appreciate it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, best of luck to you in your upcoming performances. It is fun for me to watch your singing career unfold. I imagine you will do a splendid job in this aria, having listened to your voice in other recordings on here. I do hope you get the opportunity to record this lovely piece of music and share it with us here. I wrote about this aria several years ago in my own blog. My favorite rendition of all time is by Frederica Von Stade, who just seems to carry that longing in her voice that compliments the emotion of the aria. But let’s not debate, instead celebrate all the greats who have sung this, past, present, and with you future! Good luck once again in the upcoming months.
Hi Phil, I will try and get my Dad to record my performance so that I can post it on my blog for you. I do love this aria as it allows you to really get into the character when you sing. Thanks for visiting and for sharing your thoughts with me 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful post!
Thank you Renee, thanks for dropping by 🙂 I do hope that you can call back again soon.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Nothing quite as romantic and mysterious as the moon with its lovers. Great story and the photos of the sets look amazing… Wonderful video and voice, mesmerizing.
Those set designs are superb aren’t they; I love the use of colour and projections onto the flats. Renee Fleming is absolutely magnificent singing this song. There won’t be a full moon either weekend of my performance so I’ll have to imagine one 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
What beautiful images! I love hearing so much about this song- -you really do your research. Can’t wait to hear you sing it!
I remember my singing teacher suggesting I keep notes on each song on an index card in a box. I will try to set up a computer database with them in so that I can put my favourite You Tube clips in with the notes and pictures, I am a much better visual learner than just reading reams of text. I’ll see what I can do about recording it or get my Dad to at the concert :).
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hello Charlotte, What a beautiful post! Rusalka is very special to me. Thank you very much for the images in your post and the video of Renee Fleming performing this exquisite aria. Looking forward to hearing your rendition!
Hi Susan, I do love to perform this aria and I was pleased to read that it has a special place in your heart too 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
This is one of the songs that make me wish I was a soprano and able to sing this. xD But alas, I am not.
Lovely pictures from the scenery, they really add to the feeling while listening to this song. 🙂 Lookin forward to your version of “Song to the Moon”. 🙂
Hi Cecilia, thanks for keeping in touch, is your concert at Pitea due this week? if so good luck with it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It was last week, but thank you. 🙂 It went really well. Hopefully I’ll be able to post a video from it at the end of this week. 🙂
All the best,
Cecilia
What a wonderful post! I greatly appreciate the thrilling, numinous set designs–I love theatre–and the Renee Fleming clip. I must post another poem this week. Perhaps ‘Moon Over the Lost City…?’
Moon over the Lost City sounds like a good idea, hope you get some inspiration from the set designs and the music.
All the best
Charlotte
Thank you for introducing me to Rusalka. Antonin Dvorak has been one of my favourites
Love to hear you sing it…
Hi Javier, you’re welcome. I will try to record it but sometimes venues don’t like you to video 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
Love this song ! Thankx
Thanks for visiting and I am glad that you enjoyed this song, it is such an emotional piece 🙂
By the way I loved the pictures on your blog, Scotland has some lovely scenery and the early evening skies can be truly beautiful 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
One of my all time favourite arias. It really set alight my imagination as a child listening to it. Thank you for sharing your research. It has really brightened my day.
Hi Katherine, it is lovely to think that I helped brighten your day 🙂 The song is beautiful both to perform and to listen to.
Best wishes
Charlotte
MAGNIFICENT MELLIFLUOUS CLASSIC SINGING WITH SONOROUS AND SWEET VOICE TOUCHING HIGH NOTES WITH VIBRATION AND CONTINUITY IS FANTASTIC
I am so pleased that you enjoyed the rendition by Renee Fleming 🙂 I would love to think that one day my performance of this song will evoke similar emotions to those that you have so beautifully expressed.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What hauntingly beautiful sets!
I would love to just stand on a set like this and take it all in, then to sing in such a space would be fabulous.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Awesome set design, gives a futuristic look. Again, you sing another of my favorite songs. I still have the excellent CD ‘Dvorak in Prague: A Celebration’, with this song plus other wonderful Dvorak numbers. 😉
Hi Arti, yes the sets are very modern, contemporary. This really is one of my favourite songs. I must download more Dvorak into my iPhone.
Best wishes
Charlotte
How beautiful Charlotte! You are an inspiration; doing what you love. Your pic could grace the cover of a romance novel! Have a fantastic day!
Hi Koko, its lovely to hear from you again I know you’ve been really very busy so I appreciate you dropping in 😉 . If you ever get around to writing that novel Koko you can have the cover with pleasure.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I have written such a novel! We’ve been battling illness here for all of October and now creeping into November! I miss blogging but happy at least I can read your stories!
Get well soon to all of you 😉
I love this song! I can’t wait to hear your recording of it, Charlotte. As I’ve mentioned, I usually sing more light opera than regular opera, but your post reminded me that this is one of the “grand opera” arias I need to tell my teacher that I want to add to my repertoire!–besides Juliette’s Waltz Song “Je Veux Vivre” from Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette.” Have you ever performed that one?
Have a wonderful day, and keep singing!
Hi Cate, I’ve not learnt ‘Je Veux Vivre’ I’ll have a listen, thanks for the suggestion. I have had a great day thank you. I’ve been rehearsing most of my weekend repertoire and for the Scots Song competition on the 19th November. I caught the train from Glasgow this evening and caught the later train because it was £20 less expensive so I hope these replies go on ok 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
I have only come to Rusalka in the last few years. This aria is a dream, but the opera is tricky to direct successfully. We saw the wonderful Glyndebourne production live (and on TV as well) and then the following year at the ROH (not so good). I look forward to hearing you do this sometime, though Renée Fleming will be a hard act to follow!
At my age Renee Fleming is an impossible act to follow 😉 I hope I haven’t raised expectations for tomorrow lol 😉 The Opera Department at my Conservatoire have the opera ‘The Return of Ulysses’ by Monteverdi on in the Opera Studio this week it was sold out. I was supposed to go to watch on Tuesday but assisted back stage with the Surtitles instead when my friend fell poorly. Rusalka has such a brilliant song at the start but then loses her voice, did the performer playing Rusalka dance in the staging you saw?
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thought Id check how things are going and see you are singing song to the moon it is one of my favourites would be in my 8 to take to my desert island and what a fabulous photo.see you soon
Hi Maurice, will I see you tomorrow in Grindleford? If not I looking forward to meeting up again in Bowdon, I understand I’ll be performing ‘Song to the Moon’ with the Brass band; I’ll also be performing O Holy Night, Stille Nacht, and O Mio Babbino Caro I think. Glad you like the photo, little bit moody for me 😉 he he
Best wishes
Charlotte
Much success in your performance on Nov. 30th. Thank you for sharing the images of the stunning sets. I look forward to hearing you! To happy days! (And thank you for your recents visits to my blog.)
I’ll be giving the song an outing tomorrow in Derbyshire with a piano backing track just to add a bit more challenge to an already challenging piece 😉 you’re welcome.
All the best
Charlotte
Much success. And the sets, wow. And you look awesome.
My Dad did the picture, he helped my big brother Matt learn how to use Photoshop for a school enterprise project about seven years ago then learnt some new tricks off my younger brother when he did Graphics at GCSE I love what he does with my posters.
Best wishes
Charlotte
They are awesome.
What great photos. Nice writing style too 🙂
Thanks Alex, The scenery shots are fabulous. One of my friends is a set designer I must make sure he’s seen these for inspiration.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a beautiful, inspired concept for the sets of Rusalka. “Song to the Moon” is one of my favorite arias. I saw the opera years ago at the Metropolitan. The music is glorious. I’ve never forgotten the sets in the performance at the Met, which were verdant and lush and lit by moonlight. A wonderful story, so open to interpretation from every able. Looking forward to hearing your recording! Thanks for reviving a cherished memory!
I’ve put my recording on this article now if you’d like to take a listen, let me know what you think 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
So lovely. Thank you for uploading your interpretation of this beautiful aria. I am especially struck by your take on the final line. You seem to have mixed wistful yearning with defiance, as if willing the moon to not disappear. Loved that.
Thank you 😉
Hello 🙂 as someone mention before, I ve heard Song to the moon from Anna Netrebko and I was simply charmed by Rusalka… How can she offer such sacrifice for such unstable love… Is the forgiveness deserved in the end?
I am really happy about you ll sing that too:). Czech is a difficult language I know that as native speaker. I cant even wait to listen to Your record.
Oh, I am sorry if I am late, but * happy birthday to you * 🙂 !
Regards
Lukáš
Hi Lukáš, it truly is a lovely opera, but I am not sure that I would give up my voice so quickly 🙂
I would love it if you could take a listen to my version when I can post a copy, as it would be great to see what a native speaking Czech thinks of my pronunciation 🙂
Best Wishes
Charlotte
Well, I also wouldnt give up my voice.
Yes sure. Post a copy, As I hear it, I ll add opinion.
Very old Rusalka record from Mrs. Beňačková, if it is allowed to post ytb links:).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qul0b3e631k
Regards
Lukáš
Hi Lukáš, I’ll send you a link 😉 when I get chance to record it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Those set designs are amazing!
It must be brilliant to step out on such a stage. Thank you for taking the time to visit.
All the best
Charlotte
Hello,
I do not listen to classical music much, but I am Czech and Rusalka
is a Czech opera and I think Milada Subrtova (in 1961) gave the
best rendition of the famous Song to the Moon ever. Netrebko and Fleming may
have a better voice but their rendition is too dramatic and they have not
the best Czech pronunciation. The song is at youtube.com just
type two words. Rusalka Subrtova and then listen.
Jan Czech Republic
Thank you Jan I’ll have a listen 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte,
hope you liked or will like Subrtova’s rendition. And if you like it
you should also sometimes listen to Vodnik’s (water sprite) lament
by famous Czech bass singer Eduard Haken. Again just type Rusalka
Haken at youtube. It is black and white. You will definitely like it. I live about
10 miles from the place (forests) where opera Rusalka was born (where Dvorak
worked on it. Since there my passion for Rusalka.
best wishes to your singing (of course especially of Rusalka)
Jan
I see what you mean Jan, there is definitely more intensity behind each singular word, which can be more important than just a beautiful tone. A great example of what I’ve been working on recently. Did you listen to my version with the Milnrow Brass Band, it was our first run through so could have been more rehearsed but I’d appreciate your feedback, there is a link now at the bottom of the post.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte,
finally I found your Rusalka and liked it a lot. You did a great work on pronunciation,
it is really good. Comparing with other foreign renditions I liked your Rusalka more
than Fleming’s but Netrebko’s is still a bit better (smile). And I loved your other
songs especially Danny Boy.
Best wishes
Jan
Hi Jan Fleming and Netrebko are just such fabulous singers I’m pleased to even have my name mentioned in the same paragraph ;). Thanks for your kind words, did you see my other Czech piece Songs My Mother Taught Me? This is a newer piece for me and I’m still working on it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte,
I have found out you are going to sing Rusalka again so I wish you good luck.
As I said your Czech is remarkably good but allow me make 2 small notes which
might improve your performance.
Best wishes Jan
Thanks for your pronunciation advice I’ve made a note to practise this week. I will re listen to Subrtova’s rendition too thanks for introducing me to it 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
That is absolutely beautiful, wish I could hear you sing it. the scenery is gorgeous.
This was my first experience hearing Czech sung. (I have heard it spoken but never sung.) Your voice is so lovely in any language. This is such a lovely song. I’ve heard a lot of Dvorak before but never this one. You continue to inspire and delight me. Thank you for sharing. May you have a long and illustrious career.
Thank you very much for your lovely message.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, do you know where we can get the music score in Italian? I will be singing song to the moon at my next competition and I love the Italian rendition.
I don’t have it in Italian Mia I can recommend Forsyths in Manchester (they’re online) for scores 😊. If I get the opportunity I’ll look at the library.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely recordings of the moon song. The last time I saw Rusalka was in a stunning opera-and-ballet production in Antwerp in December 2019, which turned out to be my fourth-to-last opera excursion before the corona lockdown. https://operasandcycling.com/rusalka-in-antwerp/
💥💥 EGADS 💥💥