Album

Gabriela Beňačková, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Václav Neumann

Dvořák: Rusalka. Opera in 3 Acts

Catalogue Number: SU 3718-2
Published: 19th May 2003
Genre: Opera
Format: 3 CD
However uneven the qualities of the operatic legacy of Antonín Dvořák (1841 - 1904) might appear compared with the rest of his output, at least three of his operas - namely, The Jacobin; Kate and the Devil; and Rusalka - can be safely regarded as works of outstanding vitality, undiminishingly appealing and therefore frequently staged and spontaneously loved by audiences. Rusalka in particular, written in 1900, a lyrical fairy-tale opera set to the finest text ever used by Dvořák (from Jaroslav Kvapil), telling a story filled with compassion, with an unfortunate central female character and an errant principal male hero (Prince), has quite justly won the shared place at the top, with Smetana's The Bartered Bride, as the best-loved and most frequently produced Czech operas, in their home country and internationally alike.
This digital recording, presenting Václav Neumann's production with Gabriela Beňačková in the title role, guarantees the highest artistic value. Coupled with Dvořák's inimitably sparklin invention, this complete opera set brings living proof of one of the pre-eminent fruits of genius in the whole history of Czech music.

The most frequently performed Czech opera in digital quality!

CD 1

Antonín Dvořák
Rusalka. Opera in 3 Acts, Op. 114
1. Ouverture 03:52
2. Act 1: Ho, Ho, Ho! 08:35
3. Act 1: Watersprite, My Father Dear! 04:01
4. Act 1: He Comes Here Frequently 04:56
5. Act 1: O, Moon High up in the Deep, Deep Sky 08:33
6. Act 1: Your Ancient Wisdom Knows Everything 09:38
7. Act 1: Abracadabra! 05:15
8. Act 1: Here She Appeared and Again Disappeared! 02:31
9. Act 1: The Hunt Is Over, Return Home at Once 05:58
10. Act 1: I Know You're but Magic That Will Pass 02:02

CD 2

Antonín Dvořák
Rusalka. Opera in 3 Acts, Op. 114
1. Act 2: Well Then My Dear Boy 09:38
2. Act 2: A Week Now Do You Dwell with Me 09:53
3. Act 2: Ballet - Festival Music 05:08
4. Act 2: No One in This World Can Give You 04:35
5. Act 2: White Blossoms All along the Road 03:34
6. Act 2: Rusalka, Daughter, I Am Here! 03:07
7. Act 2: O, Useless, Useless, Useless It Is 03:46
8. Act 2: Strange Fire in Your Eyes Is Burning 06:13

CD 3

Antonín Dvořák
Rusalka. Opera in 3 Acts, Op. 114
1. Act 3: Insensible Water Power 08:26
2. Act 3: Ah, Ah! Already You Have Come Back? 03:17
3. Act 3: Only Human Blood Can Cleanse You 02:06
4. Act 3: I'll Rather Suffer 03:20
5. Act 3: Uprooted and Banished 04:39
6. Act 3: That You're Afraid? Don't Be Silly 02:46
7. Act 3: Who Is Noisy? 05:40
8. Act 3: Hair, Golden Hair Have I 07:44
9. Act 3: Where Are You, My White Doe? 04:52
10. Act 3: Do You Still Know Me, Lover? 13:13