125 years of Rusalka: A Czech operatic gem that conquered the world
Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka, a lyrical story of longing, sacrifice, and the impossibility of uniting two different worlds, premiered on March 31, 1901, at the National Theatre in Prague. Since then, it has become one of the most valuable treasures of Czech music – and gradually one of the most frequently performed works in the global operatic repertoire.
When Rusalka was first staged, it brought together an exceptional creative force: Jaroslav Kvapil wrote a poetic libretto inspired by Slavic and European fairy tales, Antonín Dvořák composed music full of delicacy, dramatic power, and orchestral magic, and Prague’s National Theatre provided outstanding staging conditions. The first performer of the title role, Růžena Maturová, shaped the character of Rusalka in a way that influenced generations of singers.
Although the opera became an immediate success in the Czech lands, its international journey was gradual. It reached Germany in 1929, London only in 1983 in David Pountney’s breakthrough production, Vienna in 1987, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1993, where Gabriela Beňačková confirmed its global status. Since the early 21st century, Rusalka has appeared on the most prestigious stages—Paris, Salzburg, and other major operatic centers.
The opera has been recorded many times, from the earliest surviving recording in 1948 to classic Czech interpretations conducted by Jaroslav Krombholc, Zdeněk Chalabala, and Václav Neumann.
Today, 125 years after its premiere, Rusalka is more alive than ever. In Prague, it is currently performed both at the National Theatre and the State Opera, and its most famous aria – Song to the Moon – remains one of the most beautiful moments in world opera.
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