Decca's recording of Rusalka has become the definitive performance of this rare and beautiful opera.
While preparing myself for a lecture of Dvořák's Rusalka, I immersed myself in recordings of the work
to familiarize myself with an opera that was virtually unknown to me. I found several versions, all
appealing in their own way, but when I came across the Decca recording of Rusalka, I knew I had
discovered a true gem. This 3 CD set proves that Dvořák's penultimate opera, and most well-known
opera, deserves a spot in the upper echelon of the operatic cannon. The Czech Philharmonic shines
under the baton of the great Czech interpreter, Sir Charles Mackerras. The overture is performed with
great care and sensitivity, creating the imagery of the Rusalka's watery world and her fate to come.
Mackerras' insights to Dvořák's orchestral music, of which he has recorded widely for Supraphon, are
evident in the high quality of the performance. Mackerras is sympathetic to the moods that Dvořák
created, and shows that Dvořák was an orchestral communicator second only to Wagner. Dvořák's use
of leitmotifs bridges the gap between Wagner's outright statements and Richard Strauss' interwoven
themes. One of the great orchestral Highlights in the recording is the Act II Polonaise. Here, Mackerras
gives us a regal, courtly polonaise interspersed with softer flowing sections filled with leitmotifs. It is
truly a glorious moment. As for the cast, what can be said about Renee Fleming that has not already
been said; the voice of our generation, the Greatest American Soprano, both are evident in this
recording. Fleming takes on a role whose aria 'Měsičku na nebi hlobokem' she championed and brought
back to the forefront. She is in fine voice throughout the opera. The characterization of Rusalka, a
water sprite who longs to be human and experience love, is realized meticulously through Fleming's
interpretation. The 'Měsicku' aria (the famous 'Song to the Moon' aria) is sung exquisitely, and is
joined by two other beautiful arias in acts II and III. The object of Rusalka's affections is the fickle
Prince, sung by Ben Heppner, who has been lauded similarly to Fleming in the vein of 'Greatest
Canadian Tenor'. Heppner is in fine voice throughout the recording and shows some wonderful colours
in his arias. His act II duet with the foreign Princess, sung by Eva Urbanova, is a great moment, and his
Act III duet with Rusalka is sublime. Heppner's voice soars through Dvořák's epic lines. Rounding out
the lead roles are Franz Hawlata as Vodnik, the water goblin (Rusalka's father) and Dolora Zajick as
Ježibaba, the witch. Hawlata is the leading Vodnik in the world, and has sung the role time and again
with compassion and power. His interpretation is perfection. Ježibaba is a villain in the same vein as
Humperdinck's witch in Hansel und Gretel, and Zajick vocally embodies the role, especially in the Act
I 'Spell' aria. The cast is rounded out very well within the secondary roles. It is a luxury to have Ivan
Kusnjer, the great Czech baritone, doubling in the roles of the gamekeeper and the huntsman. The
chorus performs well in their small sections throughout the work. The set includes a detailed libretto
with complete translations, as well as production photos and a wonderful essay on Dvořák and the
stage, by Patrick Lambert.
This February, the Canadian Opera Company unveils its production of Dvořák's Rusalka. With the
rarity of this work being produced in Canada, let alone any Dvořák opera, this will be a major event.
Decca's Rusalka is the perfect introduction to this work and a mainstay for any opera collection. It is
absolutely worth every penny!
John Holland, L'Atelier Grigorian
Price: $56.98