Dvorak - Rusalka

Slovak (formerly Czechoslovakia) soprano Lucia Popp, sings "Song to the Moon" from Czech composer Antonín Dvořák's

Rusalka




American soprano, Frederica von Stade, sings "Song to the Moon" from Czech composer Antonín Dvořák's

Rusalka

based on the fairy tales of Karel Jaromír Erben and Božena Němcová; a rusalka is a water sprite of Slavic mythology, usually inhabiting a lake or river.

In the beginning of the aria, Dvorak uses large arpeggiated chords to invite the audience into the fairy tale land of Rusalka. The good-natured old Spirit of the Lake, Jezibab, is enjoying the singing of the Wood Nymphs, when his daughter, Rusalka, approaches him sadly. She tells him that she has fallen in love with a handsome young prince and wishes to become human in order to know the bliss of union with him. Deeply saddened, the Spirit of the Lake consents to her request, and leaves. All alone, Rusalka sings this beautiful aria, confiding in the moon the secrets of her longing.