Dvorak: Rusalka [Import]

Jiri Joran (Performer), Vaclav Bednar (Performer), Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Zdenek Chalabala (Conductor), Eva Hlobilova (Performer), Ivana Mixova (Performer), Jadwiga Wysoczanska (Performer), Milada Subrtova (Performer), Ivo Zidek (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Jiri Joran, Vaclav Bednar, Eva Hlobilova, Ivana Mixova, Jadwiga Wysoczanska, et al.
• Conductor: Zdenek Chalabala
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak
• Audio CD (November 1, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Supraphon
• ASIN: B00000DFP9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,137 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Overture

2. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act I: 'Ho, ho, ho!'

3. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act I: 'Watersprite, my father dear!'

4. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act I: 'He comes here frequently'

5. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act I: 'O, moon high up in the deep sky'

6. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act I: 'Your ancient wisdom knows everything'

7. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act I: 'Abracadabra!'

8. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act I: 'Here she appeared and again disappeared!'

9. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act I: 'The hunt is over, return home at once'

10. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act I: 'I know you're but magic that will pass'

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act II: 'No one in this world can give you'

2. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act II: 'White blossoms all along the road'

3. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act II: Rusalka, daughter, I am here!'

4. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act II: 'Strange fire in your eyes is burning'

5. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act III: 'Insensible water power'

6. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act III: 'Ah, ah! Already you have come back?'

7. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act III: 'Uprooted and banished'

8. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act III: 'That you're afraid? Don't be silly'

9. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act III: 'Hair, golden hair have I'

10. Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Act III: 'Where are you, my white doe?'

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A touching, vibrant Rusalka, December 2, 2004

By 

Ivy Lin (NY NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dvorak: Rusalka (Audio CD)

Dvorak's stunningly beautiful opera, which so effortlessly weaves together Czech folk rhythms with almost Wagnerian lietmotifs has recently become a favorite role of the American soprano Renee Fleming. Her recording is available on Decca. On the Supraphon label, the lovely Gabriella Benackova also has a recording. Both Benackova and Fleming have achieved international fame. Benackova's silvery, almost otherworldly voice is unmatched for this water-sprite role. But her set is plagued by a rather forgettable performance from Wieslaw Ochman as the Prince.

Chalabala's lesser known 1961 set remains my favorite Rusalka. This recording has a vigor and vivacity that the other sets lack -- Chalabala seems to understand the nuances of the score like the back of his hand. There are some very minor cuts, which is the only drawback. But this recording is the only one that makes me love ALL of Rusalka, not just the deservedly famous moments (like the Song to the Moon).

The cast is uniformly excellent. Milada Subtrova's voice has neither the lushness of Renee Fleming's nor the otherworldliness of Gabriella Benackova's, but it is still exceptionally beautiful. Like many Slavic voices it has an edge of steeliness, but fortunately it never turns truly hard(unlike, say, Galina Vishnevskaya). Her Rusalka has a desperation, ardor and earthiness the other Rusalkas lack. Even the Song to the Moon is sung with fervency. Subrtova's Rusalka is always deeply felt.

As Rusalka's watersprite father Eduard Haken has perhaps the loveliest music of the entire opera. His vibrato has loosened a bit, but he still infuses this role with tenderness and feeling. Ivo Zidek, as the faithless Prince, had an extremely distinguished career. If his voice doesnt have the absolute purity and beauty of, say, Fritz Wunderlich, he still sings with an idiomatic style and sensitivity. His final duet with Subrtova is heartrending.

I think overall this recording understands that a slim "fairy tale" doesn't necessarily equal a certain lyrical detatchment. This sad little story of a the water nymph and her faithless Prince is performed almost veristically. So even though the early stereo sound can occasionally be tinny, I really think if you want a Rusalka, this is the recording to get.

26 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great stuff!, October 12, 2000

By 

A. Zemach (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dvorak: Rusalka (Audio CD)

The music is great. The recording is a little old but fine. The singers sound good. The package comes with a little "commentary" booklet about the opera and the full libretto (nice touch!). This is a studio recording so there are no irritating audience sounds. The sound is clear and vibrant.

For those unfamiliar with Dvorak's most famous opera I heartly recommend it. It's very lyrical, and pleasing to the ear. There is a lot more here than just the famous "O moon" (heard in 'Driving Miss Daisy') the entire opera is lovely and very easy to get into.

Turn up your stereo and enjoy!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the greatest Rusalka, May 25, 2006

By 

Emma de Soleil "I moved to the UK for another... (On a holiday In Ibiza, then back to the UK for studies) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dvorak: Rusalka (Audio CD)

Rusalka is, along with "Yevgeny Onegin", my favourite Slavic opera. Only a few stunning recordings of this one exist, my favourites almost all "unknowns". My Nr.1 sadly only recorded the song to the moon, the sadly underrated Pilar Lorengar. Nr.2 is present on this recording, Milada Subtrova. Her voice is utterly perfect for this role. Beautiful in an unearthly way, youthful & yearning she gives the despairing watersprite a dignity it so desperately needed. Her phrasing is ardent and noble, her diction picture-perfect. Her vocal acting surpasses such great Rusalkas as Stratas, Fleming &Benackova. It may not have Stratas' fragility, Fleming's pacing & lucurious timbre & Benackova's silvery top but it has enough of everything and more. Never do we hear her throw herself in a pose, she's always natural. A great achievement that's sadly underrated nowadays. (She also lends an actress her voice in a Rusalka-Film, btw)

Eduard Haken sounds perfect as Rusalka's warning father. simply superb. Ivo Zidek sings with fervour & youthful timbre as the faithless prince, his final duet with Rusalka is heartbreaking indeed. Despite my love for Fleming & Stratas, this remains my favourite recording of Dvorak's enchanting fairy tale opera.