CD 7243 494056 2 2 (Monitor-EMI 1998)
in Czech language
CD 7243 494056 2 2 (Monitor-EMI 1998)
| Rusalka | Bára Basiková |
| Prince | Kamil Støihavka Petr Muk |
| Foreign Princess | Yvetta Blanarovièová |
| Old Water Sprite | Petr Janda Jiøí Schoenbauer |
| Witch | Pavla Kapitánová Yvonne Pøenosilová |
| Court Jester | Vilém Èok |
In the introduction to the story the viewer sees the watery realm of dancing water nymphs, the good Old Water Sprite, and Rusalka, who has just fallen in love with the Prince, a handsome man who likes to have a good time.
Water nymphs
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, the moon has risen above the water.
Water Sprite, the moon is shining, it is rocking in your window now,
It will soon break into your place.
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, the moon has risen above the water.
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, the moon has risen above the water.
It peers curiously into the deep water,
Trailing over the stones to the bottom.
The Water Sprite is nodding his head.
/: Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho,
And then disappears under the water. :/
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho,
The moon has risen above the water!
A soft breeze dances on the lake; the water sprite wakes up.
The water sprite, old green water sprite, is still only half awake.
The water sprite wants to get married, which of you wants to make bubbles,
Comb the old man, change the bed, comb the old man, change the bed,
Ho, ho, ho, to become Mrs. Water Sprite?
/: Ho, ho, ho, to become Mrs. Water Sprite,
Ho, ho, ho, old Mrs. Water Sprite. :/
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho ho,
Ho, ho, ho…
In the moonlight, Rusalka pines for „her“ Prince who, however, cannot even see her in her water-nymph form. She walks along the dike and dreams about love.
Rusalka
Oh, moon high up in the deep sky, your light gazes into the distance.
You wander through the big wide world, glancing into people’s homes.
You wander through the big wide world, glancing into people’s homes.
/: Oh, moon, stop for a while to tell me where I can find my beloved. :/
Tell him, silver moon, tell him that mine are the arms which are embracing him,
/: make him remember me from time to time. :/
Oh, moon, glide along the sky with my message
That today his fate has become mine as well.
Light his path far away, glide through the night.
Tell him who does for him wait.
Light his path far away, glide through the night.
/: Tell him who does for him wait. :/
Neither the Old Water Sprite nor the water nymphs are very excited about Rusalka’s love for the Prince. Nevertheless, the fatherly Old Water Sprite recommends Rusalka to seek the advice of the Witch. Rusalka goes to her magic hut and tells the Witch about her love. The Witch promises to give Rusalka an elixir to make her visible to human beings. However, she must leave her transparent water robe and beautiful voice behind in the watery realm. She will not be able to utter a single word to the Prince or anybody else. On top of that, her departure to the human world will be a test of the Prince’s love. „If you fail to taste your love in the world / you will end your life under a curse. / If you lose your love you crave and thirst for / the water-curse will drown you deep down!“ In spite of everything, Rusalka agrees and the witch begins to make her miraculous potion.
Witch
A drop of dragon’s blood, ten drops of gall,
A bird’s heart, still warm and beating.
Jump, my dear cat, jump and stir the brew in the pot,
Jump, my dear cat, jump and stir the brew in the pot,
Abracadabra, abracadabra,
Do not be afraid of more suffering!
At this very time, for a short while indeed,
You can still join the other water nymphs.
Jump, my dear cat, jump and duly fan the fire.
Jump, my dear cat, jump and duly fan the fire.
If you don’t listen to my advice, I won’t stop you.
Let your wish be fulfilled in the early dawn!
This is your human dower which you must take.
Drink this brew, and your tongue will be turned to wood.
Jump, my dear cat, hey-a-hey, pour the brew down her throat.
Jump, my dear cat, hey-a-hey, pour the brew down her throat.
Abracadabra, abracadabra,
Not another word more!
Witch and animal creatures
Abracadabra, abracadabra,
Abracadabra.
For the first time Rusalka materializes in the human world, enchanting the Prince by her beauty. She keeps eluding him like a mirage, which the Prince blindly and heedlessly follows.
Prince
Lovely, wondrous vision, are you a woman or fairy-tale?
Are you the guardian of forest animals, hidden in the woods in the morning?
Have you come to plead for them, sister to every white doe?
Or are you going to meet me, to fall prey yourself?
Is your mouth sealed by a secret, or is your tongue bound forever?
If your lips are mute, I swear to God that I will kiss the answer out of them!
The answer to the mysteries which lured me here,
Calling me over the meadows, the thorn-bushes, the rocks,
So that finally on this happy day, my child,
I might be suddenly enchanted by your glance!
What secret do you have in your heart?
Prince and Choir
If you love me, let me know by a single word!
If you love me, let me know!
Prince
I know that you are magic which will vanish and fade in a misty whirl.
My fairy-tale, cease for a while to be but a vision, do not flee me!
My hunt has ended—why give it a thought? You are my most beautiful doe.
You are a little golden star. Come with me into the dark night, my fairy-tale,
Come with me. My fairy-tale, my fairy-tale…
The people living in the castle were used to entertainment, hunts, dances and merry plays. However, the Prince is suddenly a changed man. Rumor has it that he has fallen in love with a mysterious creature which does not speak. The Prince is said to have found her somewhere deep in the woods. The woman is not only mute, but she seems to be lifeless. Even the priest is perplexed by the whole situation. Many would like to chase her out of the castle, but the Prince is preparing an engagement feast.
Gamekeeper
I say, I say, my dear boy, tell me, tell me,
What kind of pastime are they preparing at the castle today?
Such a crowd of guests around, so much bustle in the kitchen,
So many strange things on the tables and shelves?!
Why is it that the suddenly eagle-eyed chef
Is closely inspecting all the stock in the pantry?
Kitchen Boys
Uncle, you have no idea, to the eve from early waking
There is always work to do.
Good old times seem to be forever gone.
Everything has been razed to the ground; all is changing.
It’s enough to drive you mad, and the woman is to be blamed for all this.
Just think, Uncle, think of what everybody is saying at the castle!
It has been a week since Rusalka has joined the Prince, but their love has not been fulfilled yet. The Prince is impatient. He declares his love to Rusalka. During the Prince’s aria, the Foreign Princess comes with her entourage and immediately attracts the Prince’s attention.
Prince
A week you’ve followed by my side, my blood boils in my veins.
Why do you use tricks, when will the dream become a girl?
Why do you use tricks, when will the dream become a girl?
Will only marriage give to me what love has long desired,
Will it set your blood on fire so that you will become a woman,
My woman, completely mine?
Why is your embrace so cold? You are haunted by fear.
Why do you turn away from me, why are you afraid of love’s passion?
In vain I try to stifle my sad affection.
From your embrace I shall never be free.
No matter how cold, how diffident you are,
I want to win you today, today,
I want to win you over!
Foreign Princess
No, no, it is not love but hate I feel
That another dwells where I wished to be.
If he is not going to be mine,
Then may their happiness be shattered!
I hope that the Prince will soon realize
That although he is a lover, he should also be a host.
Or must that bliss the world vouchsafes to you
Be viewed in silence by your foreign guest?
Prince
Your reproach is just indeed
And I can bear it well from your lips.
Even a bridegroom, beautiful Princess,
Is but your servant, first of all.
Foreign Princess
But will not your belle, mistress of your heart,
Seek to chide you for this with a word?
Or is there so much tenderness in her eyes
That she can speak with you just by looking at you?
Prince
Her eyes forgot to tell me
That the host has become inattentive.
Let me quickly repair, if you allow,
What I have absentmindedly neglected.
Why this despair? Why do you tremble so much?
Hurry up to your room and dress up for my ball!
Foreign Princess
Oh, take the richest robe,
I have the Prince’s courtesy,
You have his heart!
The Prince seems to have forgotten about Rusalka, being fully devoted to the Foreign Princess. The Old Water Sprite watches the situation from the nearby lake. He is both upset and unhappy about the Prince’s behavior. The finale of the first half of the musical ends with the Old Water Sprite’s aria accompanied by the sympathetic voices of Rusalka’s former playmates and other water creatures.
Old Water Sprite
The world will never give you what is blooming in the watery realm.
Poor pale Rusalka, enthralled by the beauty of the world!
Even if you were human a hundred times, you are still encumbered by the yoke of the waters.
You are still encumbered by the yoke of the waters, even if you were human a hundred times.
What will the human world give to you? It would be sad for you to return.
Your return would be sad and difficult. What will you get in your human world?
No matter how much the human loved you, you cannot keep him by your side forever.
No matter how much the human loved you, you cannot keep him by your side forever.
The water seeks you everywhere, to draw you to her cool embrace.
Poor pale Rusalka, enthralled by the beauty of the human bond.
When you return to your playmates, you will be but a lethal element.
You will be but a lethal element. When you return to your playmates…
You will come back a weary wraith, cursed by the elements.
You will come back a weary wraith, cursed by the elements.
Old Water Sprite and water nymphs
What will you get in your human world? Your return would be sad and difficult.
No matter how much the human loved you, you cannot keep him by your side forever.
Old Water Sprite
Poor pale Rusalka, enthralled by the beauty of the world!
Traveling actors at the castle perform a play, in which white roses will turn red. This symbolizes the fulfillment of love, a path to marriage. In our case this will not happen and the roses will stay white. Simultaneously with the stylized theater we can see a desperate Rusalka, who has been ignored by the Prince, and her playmates in the distance.
Court jester
White flowers were blooming along the road.
The youth rode to his bride and the day seemed so bright.
The flowers sprinkled with dew also have a soul.
That love will banish grief, they could sense long before.
Court jester’s retinue
Do not tarry, young man, hurry up to your beloved, soon you will grow to manhood.
When you return this way, red roses will bloom here.
Court jester and his retinue:
White flowers wilted under the heat of the sun,
But fiery roses grace the wedding bed.
They grace the wedding bed.
The flowers sprinkled with dew also have a soul.
That love will banish grief, they could sense long before.
White flowers were blooming along the road.
The youth rode to his bride and the day seemed so bright.
Yeah, bright… So bright…
Water nymphs
The white water lily dreams on quiet waters, it will sadly keep you company.
Not for your wedding bed do the red roses bloom!
Rusalka visits the Old Water Sprite in the watery realm, her heart overflowing with tears. She regrets that she betrayed her playmates and the water world. Although the Old Water Sprite urges her to persist and try to win the Prince’s love again, Rusalka sinks into despair.
Rusalka
/: Oh, in vain it is, in vain, in vain, when my heart is an empty waste.
In vain all my longing sighs when I am only half-human.
In vain all my longing sighs today when I am only half-human. :/
In vain the lies. Where are his promises when he now pretends
That he has never loved me, bareheaded Rusalka?
In her (Foreign Princess’s) eyes passion’s flame burns, that human passion, so accursed.
I was born from the cool waters and I do not have that passion in me!
I was born from the cool waters and I do not have that passion in me!
/: Oh, in vain it is, in vain, in vain, when my heart is an empty waste.
In vain all my longing sighs when I am only half-human.
In vain all my longing sighs today when I am only half-human. :/
Rusalka and choir
Outcast by you
Rusalka
Lost to him
Choir
Of the eternal elements
Rusalka
Deaf echo…
Neither human nor water nymph, I can neither die nor live! I cannot live!
I cannot die, I cannot live, I cannot die, I cannot live!!!
Do you see them? See, they are here again.
They are here again. Old Water Sprite, Father, please save me.
The Foreign Princess keeps trying to get the Prince’s attention. She uses not only her feminine charm, but also an opium pipe. Despite all this, in his mind the Prince still seeks his lost Rusalka. Nevertheless, in the rhythm of the tango he eventually ends in the Foreign Princess’s arms. He claims to find real passion with her. What was the cold beauty of a water nymph compared to this!! However, the Old Water Sprite interrupts the idyll with his prophecy: „Flee to another’s arms, flee / you won’t be able to escape her (Rusalka’s) embrace!“ The Prince feels the spell of mysterious forces which drag him away from the Foreign Princess. The Foreign Princess is offended and with the words „Into the depths of a nameless hell / hasten to join your chosen one!“ she leaves both the castle and the Prince.
Somewhere between the human world and the watery realm, Rusalka forlornly laments her fate. She would like to die. She blames herself for what had happened and forgives the Prince whom she still loves.
Rusalka
Unfeeling power of the waters, you have brought me down again into your depths.
Why cannot I, defenseless, die in your cold arms, why can’t I die?
Robbed of my youth, without the joy of my sisters,
Condemned for having loved, I pine where cold, dark waters flow.
There is no punishment without repentance, I will go to face my fate.
I am paying for a great love with endless sorrow.
Lost is the grace that once was mine. Accursed by my love,
In vain I long to go back to my sisters, in vain I long to go back to the world.
Where are you, magic of summer nights falling on the water lilies?
Why cannot I, defenseless, die in the cold, why can’t I die?
Unfeeling power of the waters, you have brought me down again into your depths.
Why cannot I, defenseless, die in your cold arms, why can’t I die?
My coldness has killed his love. It was not his fault.
For me forever he is the first, the only one there is.
Unfeeling power of the waters, why can’t I die in your cold arms,
Why can’t I die, why can’t I die?
Rusalka goes to see the Witch again to seek her advice on how to rectify what has happened.
Witch
What brings you back so soon? Your stay upon the earth was rather short.
How pale your cheeks, how lonely you are!
Weren’t the kisses sweet enough for you, didn’t the human love warm you up?
Short indeed the time of love, long the bitter time of mourning.
After the man’s kisses comes a period of fasting, of endless fasting.
Wanton woman! Today you will be afflicted by awful suffering.
This will be your reward for having loved. As a worthless trinket you have been betrayed and cast away.
What a mess you got yourself into. Your great love was like out of a trashy novel.
You are more likely to see a mirage in the morning than him.
Your lover has betrayed you, ceased to love you.
I do not get much satisfaction from the fact that now you expect me to help you again.
After worldly wanderings, dear daughter, you would like to go back to your sisters—
I can read it in your eyes—to go back to your sisters.
You are homesick, aren’t you?
I always know what to do,
I will certainly find the right remedy for your pain.
Well, I can advise you, I can give you a good piece of advice,
Whether you will listen, only the devil knows.
Old Nick only knows, only the devil knows.
The Witch explains to Rusalka that only human blood can wash away the curse of the elements. Rusalka will become what she was before the world deceived her. She will redeem all her suffering and find happiness if her hand slays the one who seduced her, betrayed her and led her astray. Rusalka is horror-stricken. She would rather bear her curse and suffer in anxiety forever so the Prince can live and be happy. The Witch is infuriated to the highest extent that Rusalka rejects her help, and she throws Rusalka out of her hut with the following words: „Frail little water-bubble / Born of the moonlight, vapid and pale / Go, go and suffer through the long ages / Wither for love of your man!!!“
Rusalka is back in the watery realm, not as a charming water nymph but as a will-o’-the-wisp which will lure people into the deep swamp.
Water nymphs
You left our merry game for the wide world—
Cursed sister of ours, do not dare come to us!
She may not join in our dance
Who has been held in human sway.
We must flee you as soon as you get closer.
No advice can help you; we also miss you.
Your day has turned to midnight, you are doomed.
You are cursed by night and day, seek refuge from everything.
We must flee you as soon as you get closer.
From your sadness fear breathes loud into our merry game,
Go and play at night with the other will-o’-the-wisps in the swamp.
Lure on humans with your gleaming at the crossroads.
Lead them to the swamp with your blinking blue light.
You will find other will-o’-the-wisps dancing at graves and crossroads.
Stay away from the dances of your sisters,
Stay away!
Rusalka
Life has now cast me off, here alone I pine,
All alone, without my playmates, my sisters.
My love, I know, I will not see you any more.
My love, I know. Woe is me, woe is me,
Woe is me!
Despite Rusalka’s suffering, life in the watery realm goes on. The charming water nymphs keep dancing merrily, floating above the water.
First water nymph
Gold, gold, golden is my hair.
Second water nymph
I indulge in my games
Third water nymph
I know the secrets of the woods
All water nymphs
Gold, gold, golden is my hair.
Glow-worms fly to nestle in my braids
I will ask them for the glow of their lights.
First water nymph
My white hand
Has loosened my golden tresses.
Second water nymph
A stranger would hardly
Venture into our midst.
Third water nymph
Moonlight combs the hair
Second water nymph
With a silver sheen.
First water nymph
Even the water flea
All water nymphs
I will gladly tell:
Gold, gold,
Golden is my hair.
Gold, gold,
Golden is my hair.
Second water nymph
White, white are my feet.
On them I have flitted
Light across the green.
In the morning
I have wandered barefoot,
The dew caressed my feet.
I do not know human hatred,
The lure of passion.
Moonlight now has put
Little golden shoes on my feet.
All water nymphs
Gold, gold, beautiful, golden is my hair.
Gold, gold,
First water nymph
Beautiful, golden,
Second water nymph
Golden,
Third water nymph
Golden,
Second and third water nymphs
Golden,
All water nymphs
Golden is my hair.
Form a ring, sisters, dance around
With the light night wind.
Soon from the reeds you’ll hear a call
Of the green Old Water Sprite.
The Prince, rid of the opium intoxication, realizes that he has lost Rusalka, whom he loves, and that he has been cruel to her. He wanders in the woods, looking for her.
Prince
Where are you, my white doe?
My fairy-tale, my silent phantom! Shall there be no end to my sorrow, my restless quest?
Spurred by longing, I hasten on, I seek you in the woods, breathless, day and night.
When the night falls, I feel you near in the light of the pale moon.
I have searched for you through the wide world in vain.
My fairy-tale, come back to me! Come back to me!
Come back, my white doe! Where are you, my white doe?
By all that lies in my dead heart, I beg the heavens, I swear by the earth,
I plead with God and with the devil. Tell me, where are you? Where are you, my love?
The Prince finally finds Rusalka. She is frozen in a piece of ice at the bottom of the lake. Although she frees herself from its icy embrace, instead of a beautiful water nymph the Prince holds an ugly will-o’-the-wisp. The Prince, however, still sees she is his Rusalka, whom he had known and loved before.
Rusalka
Beloved, do you know me? Beloved, do you still remember me?
Prince
If you are dead, destroy me too. If you are living, save me, save me!
Rusalka
Neither dead nor alive, neither woman nor water nymph, damned I wander, a phantom wraith.
Vainly I dreamed about your hugs for a while, believed in a miracle, in your love.
Then I happily became your beloved, but today I am your doom.
I am neither woman nor water nymph, but a mere phantom above the water.
Prince
I do not want, and cannot, live without you. Can you pardon me, my love?
Rusalka
Why did you call me to your arms? Why did your lips lie to me?
Now I am a mere moonlit phantom for whom you will suffer infinitely,
You will suffer infinitely, you will suffer infinitely…
I lure you through the dark night, dishonored as I am,
A will-o’-the-wisp, I will draw you down to the deep water.
You sought a passion, oh I know. You did not find it in my cold caress.
I welcome you to my embrace. Only today, not tomorrow,
Since as soon as I kiss you, you are lost, lost forever.
Prince
Kiss me, oh kiss me, bring me peace. I am bound in your arms.
I do not want to return to the whirl of the world. You can kiss me to death, if you please!
Rusalka
Oh, my darling Prince, see my sorrow! Why did you deceive me, Rusalka?
Do you know, do you know that you shall never be free from my embrace,
That you shall pay for your betrayal with your life?
Prince
I want to give you everything, everything—kiss me, oh kiss me a thousand times!
I do not wish to go back, I will gladly die, kiss me, oh kiss me, bring me peace.
I do not wish to go back, I will gladly die, I do not think of going back.
Rusalka
My love will now freeze all feeling! I must kill you!
I must take you in my cold embrace!
Prince
Kiss me, oh kiss me, bring me peace! Your kisses will efface my sin.
Your kisses will efface my sin. I die now, happy, in your arms…
Old Water Sprite and water nymphs
In vain he died in your arms,
Every sacrifice is in vain,
Poor pale Rusalka,
Woe is you! Woe is you!
Rusalka
For your love, your beauty, your restless human passion,
For all that by which my fate has been accursed—human soul, may God have mercy on you,
May God have mercy on you…