Rusalka is undoubtedly Dvořák’s most celebrated opera. Like many operas, its fame largely stems from one iconic excerpt: the hauntingly beautiful “Song to the Moon.”
This piece, with its ethereal melody, has been adapted in countless forms—including a harp version I found to be a soothing lullaby…
A Story That Echoes Through Time
Rusalka, like the mermaids or willies of folklore, embodies the tragic figure of a woman wronged by love—mournful, otherworldly, and sometimes vengeance towards mankind. These entities appear frequently in Slavic mythology and have inspired countless modern adaptations, often drawing parallels with the archetype of the mermaid.
The story itself may feel familiar and you must have heard it somewhere: a young daughter of the water falls in love with a man on land. She trades her voice to a witch for the chance to walk among humans. But the man betrays her, and the witch offers her a second chance—on the condition that she kill him. Unable to go through with it, she sacrifices herself and transforms into a spirit, forever detached from the world she longed to inhabit.
In Dvořák’s interpretation, Rusalka’s final words to the prince encapsulate the story’s bittersweet essence:
“For your love, for that beauty of yours, for your inconstant human passion, for everything by which my fate is cursed, human soul, God have mercy on you!”
This tale is a rich framework for storytelling, lending itself to endless reinvention. From Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” to J.K. Rowling’s portrayal of merpeople in Harry Potter, echoes of Rusalka’s themes are woven into literature and pop culture. Its enduring appeal lies in its universal truths: the pain of unrequited love, the sacrifices we make for passion, and the cost of chasing the unattainable.
Not all adaptations are successful, though… case in point: the 2023 Disney movie. Proof that even a timeless story can sink if weighed down by enough bubbles.